Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Of course it has to comply with its obligations under climate change. Even in discussions at Cabinet yesterday and announcements by the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ossian Smyth, make it very clear that it can no longer be about Government, be it national or local, telling other people that climate change requires them to change. There is a significant programme of change that every public body, including local authorities, need to undertake. To be clear, the legal requirement of Ireland Inc., of which the Deputy's city and county council are a part, is absolutely apparent.

Mea culpaon the High Court piece. The Deputy is, of course, entirely correct on that. I am aware that the LDA has significant development plans for Galway. From a Government point of view, we have capitalised the LDA in a very meaningful way. It is not short, in any manner or means, in its ability to get on with delivering projects. Across healthcare, which has been a major issue of concern in Galway for many years, my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, is moving ahead with an elective hospital that will help the people of Galway significantly.

I take the Deputy's point and view on the need for a master plan. I suggest it is for the local authority to come up with a vision and then work with the Government to try to fund and implement that.

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