Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Keeping a partnership approach is desirable. It is an open and transparent process, and that is what everybody would want.

I take the point about governance. Governance is very important and under the local government process, and the new alignment process, increased powers have been given to county councillors. It is very important that the councillors are at a level that is close to the community in terms of how they represent their areas and draw down funding for those areas, albeit that they are in the local development strategy. The Department will be providing training.

The moneys for each county have already been decided on, and the Senator's common sense approach would be welcome. I hope that common sense will prevail. My interest lies in helping communities that need this rural development money get it in the smoothest and quickest way because it is very important that disadvantaged areas get their slice of the cake in that regard.