Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is another area about which there was much discussion on Committee Stage. One of issues raised was the importance of local knowledge to the ETBs. The Minister admitted during the debate on Committee Stage that this local knowledge is essential to the success of the ETBs and that we need to ensure that local knowledge within communities is reflected in the ETBs. It is for this reason that we are supporting these amendments.

See this speech in context