Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is important that the talks under way should continue. I understand from the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government that the ILDN has resumed its participation in the talks and I very much welcome that. It is in the context of those talks that a resolution should be found to the issues in dispute between the local development companies and the Department.

I will paraphrase what the Deputy said, so forgive me if it is not exactly what he meant, but he seemed to argue that everything should be left as it is. We live in a world where leaving everything like that is no longer an option, and change is a reality now. However, change must be reasonable and should be discussed with all relevant parties. More importantly, change must focus on delivery of service, and these companies deliver an important service. In the process of change, the very important role of the local development companies should be recognised, developed and enhanced.

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