Liam Burke
Question:50 Mr. L. Burke asked the Taoiseach whether he intends to ensure that public representatives are appointed to city and county strategy groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10281/96]
Written Answers. - Strategy Groups' Proposals.
Declan Bree
Question:54 Mr. Bree asked the Taoiseach the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that provision will be made for the nomination of local authority members to the boards of partnership companies; his views on whether local councillors, as elected representatives of local people, have an important role to play in the future development of partnership companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10733/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 54 together.
County strategy groups have been established under the Operational Programme for Local Development to ensure co-ordination of the local development initiatives, including Leader. The groups have been established in all counties.
I believe that it is appropriate that the elected public representatives should be included in the membership of county strategy groups. As I indicated in reply to questions on 12 December 1995, this required the agreement of the European Commission and of the Monitoring Committee of the Operational Programme. Following consideration of the views of the monitoring committee, I am pleased to say that I am proceeding to increase the membership of county strategy groups to include local authority members. The Minister of State at the Department, Deputy Gay Mitchell, has written to the Cathaoirleach of each county council and county borough council inviting the council to nominate three representatives to the relevant strategy group. The nominations should provide a balanced approach to linking the various local development initiatives to the work of the council.
Any change in the composition of the partnership boards, as with the composition of the county strategy groups, would require the agreement of the European Commission and of the Monitoring Committee of the Local Urban and Rural Development Programme. It is not proposed that elected public representatives would form part of the Partnership boards, at this stage. County strategy groups will give local authority members a key role in the evolution of the local development initiatives generally. However, all issues regarding the links between local government and local development initiatives are being considered by the devolution commission which is expected to submit its interim report to Government shortly.