382 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation his views on the future policy implications for local development in Ireland having regard to the development of local governance, rural development and equality issues. [27283/98]

The Government is committed to the restoration of real power and decision-making at local level, as part of its major programme of local government reform. To this end, it established an inter-Departmental task force for the integration of local government and local development systems last year, of which I was a member.

The task force produced a report containing recommendations which are laying the groundwork for a closer working relationship between the local government and local development sectors and also for a more integrated framework for the development and delivery of public services at city-county level. These recommendations were endorsed by the Government, which include, inter alia, the replacement of city-county strategy groups by more comprehensive city-county development boards in January 2000.