Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will advise, with regard to the implementation group being established to oversee the establishment of the new socio-economic committees, when the positions of the group will be filled; if the trade union sector will be represented on this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14840/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Following on from the publication of Putting People First – Action Programme for Effective Local Government, an Alignment Implementation Group has been established to assist and advise on the implementation of the recommendations of the Local Government/Local Development Alignment Steering Group. The organisations participating in the Group are the City & County Managers’ Association, the Irish Local Development Network and Pobal, and it is chaired by my Department. The Implementation Group has met twice to date, and its key responsibility is to oversee the practical arrangements necessary to give effect to the new local structures, including the new Socio-Economic Committees to be established in each local authority administrative area. In its membership, drawn primarily from the local government and local development sectors, I believe that the Implementation Group has the correct focus; while it is not intended to extend the membership, it is open to the Group to consult as required with their nominating bodies so as to fairly and accurately represent key stakeholders and, also, to invite other stakeholder representatives affected by the alignment process to participate where required.