James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

The Minister is through this Bill proposing to transfer powers from locally elected representatives to regional authorities. We all know the reason regional authorities were set up by the former Progressive Democrats when in government with Fianna Fáil was to draw down funding from Europe. One cannot be directly elected to a regional authority but must be appointed by one's respective local authority. I served on a regional authority for a number of years. They are only talking shops. Real power lies with the local authorities. I believe we should be enhancing local authorities' powers. I have never heard of representations being made to a regional authority member. People make their representations to their locally elected representatives. We have many plans, including local area plans, county development plans, regional plans and so on, but no action by Government.

We are all aware of the flooding that occurred throughout the country last year. In this regard reference was made to Cork, the midlands, including Longford-Westmeath and Roscommon. Following the flooding, the Government promised the construction of flood defences but no action has been taken.

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