Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

One of the cornerstones of this legislation is the public input as regards how these BIDs are formulated and put together and what they will do for an area. That there will be wide public consultation, not just with residents but also with business people in an area and the other agencies including the Garda, is important. The local authorities will have their local area committees in place already. The Member opposite might be accustomed to turkeys voting for Christmas on his side of the House.

Anybody who has an input into how these BIDs are put together will not be looking for increases. It provides business people in an area with the opportunity to invest in their immediate vicinity. It gives them the opportunity to have an input into what is being put into the immediate vicinity. We have seen the excellent work that has been done in O'Connell Street, for instance. Much of what was done there was in conjunction with the local businesses and it is a prime example of how business investment in areas such as this will enhance an area. The cornerstone of this initiative is the consultation process that precedes it.