Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Cullinane's sentiments that the local enterprise offices and the local authorities have to be centre stage in economic development in the future, and not be by-passed into agencies and quangos, as occurred in the past. There is a genuine issue here.

We have experienced this particularly in the south east where we do not have an office for one of our major agencies. I intend to make strong representations to the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, when he is bringing in legislation for the local enterprise offices, about the need for local authorities to be able to draw on, and as a minimum, consult with the statutory bodies under his remit and all Departments. This is to ensure that the agencies and Departments cannot, for want of a better phrase, fob off the local elected members who have a genuine concern on behalf of the people they represent about the economy, transport, or any other activity in their community. We are trying to ensure that we have the necessary legislative teeth for the elected members of local authorities to be able to calling service providers or state agencies for consultation and discussion about the local economic and community development of the county or city.