Vol. 571 No. 2
323 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the steps he has taken to ensure democratic legitimacy on local boards appointed to implement development programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21353/03]
I refer the Deputy to earlier replies regarding the review of community and local development structures and, in particular, to my reply to Questions Nos. 108, 116, 126, 137, 139 and 141 of 26 March 2003. As mentioned in that reply, strengthening the democratic accountability of agencies and service providers in this area is one of the key principles governing the review. Consistent with this principle and referred to in the earlier reply is the requirement that local and community development bodies have their annual action plans endorsed by county/city development boards (CDBs). The review process is still on-going and my ministerial colleagues and I intend to bring proposals for change to Government before the end of the year.
