Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is a no-brainer, in fact. The obvious thing to do is have people with the relevant experience at the coalface of enterprise in specific positions within the development of these new LEOs. At the start of this legislative process, there was no input from enterprise. It was only when we on the opposition benches kicked up such a fuss that an infrastructure was put in place to allow businesses to have an input into the development of LEOs. That was after the Government decided what route the infrastructure would take. Under pressure the Government put in window dressing to make it appear that enterprise would have an input.

Many councils just tolerate councillors. Hundreds of motions are passed at councils around the country which are ignored by council officials. This legislation represents a step back and a disempowerment of local enterprise and business. At the same time, however, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, claims to be introducing the most radical reform of local government that will be more responsive and accountable than ever. Why is it that Fine Gael and Labour want to separate enterprise from enterprise delivery services?

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