Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will make arrangements to appoint public representatives to the companies established on foot of the Fitzgerald Report to regenerate certain areas in Limerick City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19305/07]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on appointing public representatives to the northside and southside regeneration boards, which will oversee the regeneration of the Moyross and Southill areas of Limerick City; if names of public representatives were submitted to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19178/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 192 together.

The composition of the Boards of the Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency and the Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency is set out in their respective Establishment Orders. The Establishment Orders provide for Board representation from a number of Government Departments and State Agencies, including the Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive and for members representing the communities residing within the Agencies' target areas.

There is no provision in the Agencies' Establishment Orders for local elected representatives to be Board members, and I have no specific plans to alter the composition of these Boards, which have only recently been established and have an executive role. The Managers of both Limerick City and County Councils along with the Clare County Manager serve as Board members and will, inter alia, act as conduits of information to all of the elected members of the relevant local authorities.

In addition, I understand that the two Limerick Regeneration Agencies intend to develop comprehensive communications and consultation strategies to ensure full communication with both local elected representatives and the communities concerned. The Chairperson and the Chief Executive Officer of the Agencies fully recognise the need to ensure that local political representatives are well informed and involved in the ongoing process of regeneration. I also understand that the Chief Executive Officer of the Agencies made a presentation of the Agencies' plans to the members of Limerick City Council on 2 July and has indicated to the members that the Agencies will engage in ongoing contact with the local elected representatives.