Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is trying to distract me. He came in for peace from the canvass but he has started to turn on me.

The organisation's vision for the development of Muintir na Tíre is that while retaining its position in the heart of community development throughout Ireland it will develop its services to become even more relevant to the needs of communities. Muintir na Tíre will support communities to unite their efforts with local regional and national structures, thereby creating integration of community development at community, local and national levels. It operates two services. These include the promotion of community development through a process of empowerment and participation, supporting and representing more than 200 community councils and other voluntary groups, and it is vital that there are so many constituent organisations on the ground. There is also community safety, with 1,351 community programmes doing tremendous work. There is a national organiser in Mr. Liam Kelly and four regional co-ordinators but it is mainly a voluntary team looking after themselves, their families and their communities. That is the way forward and we cannot do without them. Ní neart go chur le chéile and we must work together.

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