Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Many organisations are very concerned about this section of the Bill. They have concerns about the implications for independent work in the community sector in particular and for the most disadvantaged and marginalised communities. They regard this as a centralisation of powers around local development.

We are moving away from having the power with local development companies, as they are at present, and taking that away. Basically, we are handing a chequebook to the county councils. As we now, it is he who holds the chequebook will influence the agenda.

There is genuine concern that Part 6 of the Bill will give wide-ranging powers to the local authorities rather than the community development sector. There is a concern that the Bill gives the State control over the local element of independent Irish civil society. It is vital that the sector is autonomous and independent in order to work towards positive social change. The Bill states that the local development committees will be independent in their workings. From my experience it is clear that will not be the case in practice.

We are quite aware that when these companies, which are supposed to work from the bottom up, are under the influence of the county councils that the agenda will be totally different. I mean that the funding will be spent in a different way, and one can be clear on that matter.

We are also concerned that the Bill will provide for a wide-range of issues to be dealt with by ministerial order. That again will give the Minister, or a future Minister, significant powers to implement even wider ranging reforms without the need to introduce new legislation. That is a worrying development.

The legislation also provides for the reform of other legislation, some of which will have direct implications for the participation of the most marginalised communities, including the Traveller community. The Bill does nothing to further the involvement or participation of those most distant from democratic processes. It does nothing to address the democratic deficit identified. Let us examine the matter from a community development perspective. The idea behind community development is to empower people in their local communities. This section, particularly regarding the local economic plans, will serve as a rubber-stamp and lead to the county council agenda being imposed on local communities. Also, the county council agenda regarding how moneys are spent will be rubber-stamped by the committees.

I have worked with a local development company in the past and I am well aware of the issues on the ground. I have also sat on a social inclusion committee in county councils. I have witnessed the level of debate that took place but it leaves a lot to be desired.