Fiach MacConghail (Independent)

He too has commissioned a separate report under the chairmanship of John McGrane to examine the philanthropic context of not-for-profit arts and culture sectors. There could be a possibility of duplication and also a bit of enhancement. I ask the Minister to speak to the officials from that Department to achieve some kind of cohesion. I am not sure if the report has been published yet but the charity sector, the voluntary sector, the arts sector, are all within the same area and it would be helpful if the Government could launch one report and perhaps synergise both outcomes.

I note the Minister's observations with regard to requiring a democratic, accountable and responsible system of local government involving the citizen. This may not be the opportunity but we would welcome the Minister back on another occasion to discuss how the citizen can become involved in local democratic accountability. For instance, in the United States taxes are raised and spent locally. School boards are locally elected and the US citizen can participate in local financial decision-making and the reform of local government.