Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

In the next few weeks I will have completed the work of the local development alignment group to see what measures can be put in place as part of the local government package to bring community and local government closer together.

Senator Mac Conghail referred to citizens' participation. Proposals to allow greater active participation by the public and communities will be developed. I do not expect I will be able to develop all aspects of what should be delivered for local government all at once. We will move with whatever is ready. Many of my predecessors wanted to have everything ready and decided upon in terms of all facets of local government reform, with the result that nothing was done because they ran out of time. A phased approach is required. If nine or ten items on the agenda are ready to go by March or April, we will go with them. Any issues requiring further thought or work can be added at a later stage. I see this as a phased approach between now and the local elections in 2014 and culminating by 1 July 2014, when the term of office of the next local authority membership begins. I am looking at structures and at functions and also the manner in which as many functions as possible can be devolved from central to local government. We must get the financing right as there is no point in having functions if there is not the wherewithal and the operational capacity to find the money to implement the policies and deliver the services.

I am looking at a rebalancing of power towards members and away from management.