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

This is a technical amendment relating to the definition of a local economic and community plan. There are a number of other amendments consequential to this amendment, including amendment Nos. 99, 116, 117, 119 and 122. Following consultation with the public regional assemblies, municipal districts and the local community development committees in respect of the economic elements, it will be a reserve function of the local authority to integrate both the economic and community elements into a single integrated local and economic community plan. Implementation strategies and arrangements must be put in place and led by the local authority and the LCDC respectively for the economic and community elements of the local economic and community plan. Listing these reserve functions is necessary in the appropriate schedule, for which these amendments are proposed.

The local economic and community plan will be reviewed and updated annually and the local authority must report on the success or otherwise of the implementation of the local economic and community plan each year in the annual report. It will be a matter for members to approve the text of the annual report as a reserve function, giving them a further opportunity to ensure that the implementation of these and any other plans is properly driven and led by them. In that context I propose Seanad amendment No. 99.

See this speech in context