Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I received some communication from the local development consultative groups, or members of them, who had various protracted negotiations and discussions on the alignment process. They had hoped some of their recommendations would be considered in the amendments here today. There is some disappointment in that regard. Would the Minister comment on those issues and the submissions made by various civil society organisations that are not specifically provided for in the make-up of the local development companies into the future? The Minister has inserted youth groups to cater for them, but there was an understanding that there might be representation of some minority groups such as women's organisations, Traveller groups or migrants' groups.

The other issue was that the groups would remain at arm's length or autonomous in their own right. I am conscious that the mechanism of auditing must come from Europe and I wonder how their wishes can be adhered to in this regard. It may be difficult, but could the Minister comment on that? Could he elaborate on their recommendations? The communications I received last week came from 14 or 15 groups. The process that was put in train was welcome at the time, and I would have hoped its recommendations might have been implemented. Are there any legacy issues from that process regarding industrial relations? Is there any carry-over there or any issues that are left behind and have not been resolved? What process is in place to address any existing differences in industrial relations?

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