Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said, I propose to delete the section. The corporate policy group, CPG, often developed into a secret society which did not provide necessary or full information to the groups. I looked at this in the context of putting the leaders of the groups on the CPG so that they could report back to the group on a more regular basis. However, having considered the matter further following Second Stage, I felt that this would result in too many representatives on the CPG and, therefore, make it unwieldy. I agree there is a need to find a better channel of communication between what happens in CPG and the political groups in order that people are kept fully informed about what is going on. I hear many complaints from councillors that as ordinary members of the council who are not in any of these privileged positions they do not get information before particular decisions are made. It is a matter for the councils to work out in a more open way.

Deputy Cowen referred to membership of the LCDC and who can become chairperson. The chair, who can be a public representative or community person, will be elected by the members of that group. For the purpose of drawing EU funds the majority of membership must come from within the community. For example, taking into account the new alignment of community and local authorities, if there are 15 members on the LCDC eight of them must come from the community sector. This does not mean that a public representative cannot be elected chairperson.

See this speech in context