Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is aware that Leader funds come from Europe and that Europe initiated this concept. I would be more than happy to hear a clarification from the Minister because he is obviously more aware of the facts. I am merely pointing out that concerns have been expressed. As somebody who served as a councillor on the old partnership boards I genuinely believe they are doing a valuable job with their a bottom-up approach. I am not making a political point when I say I do not believe there will be the same level of efficiency or the direct involvement the boards enjoy with local communities and individuals once they go into this socio-economic committee grouping.

I also wish to raise the issue of the amalgamation of Waterford city and county councils, which is important. To be fair, one can argue the merits of amalgamations and mergers and it then comes down to an issue of balance. One has to ask oneself, on balance, whether it is a good or bad thing to merge the local authorities in question. I genuinely believe that, on balance, it is bad to merge Waterford city and county councils.