Every Deputy in the House would agree that the Leader programme has been one of the most successful rural development initiatives since its introduction many years ago. It has played a major part in sustaining rural communities. There are 36 local development companies contracted on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to deliver the rural development programme. These groups are the principal decision makers in allocating Leader funding, and they are made up of community members who do an excellent job right across the country. This is an example of the bottom-up approach and those involved can rightly take pride in what they have achieved over the years.

Countries across Europe look at Ireland and the model we have implemented as the best example of how Leader funding can be distributed, but unfortunately the Minister and his Government are determined to change this and not for the better. In the Minister's words, he wants to improve "alignment" but this translates into simply taking decision-making powers away from Leader companies. This is not putting people first and is rather causing much disharmony and distrust across communities. The Irish Local Development Network, ILDN, has already left the alignment working group because of a breakdown in trust and the opinion that the Minister, Deputy Hogan, is not addressing the group's concerns. The Minister seems to be determined to fix something that in my opinion, and that of people in many communities the length and breadth of the country, is not broken. It is nothing short of a money grab for cash-strapped local authorities. Is the Tánaiste aware of the reservations about the realignment and does he agree it will have a detrimental impact on the Leader companies and how funding is allocated?

I agree that the Leader companies and local development bodies have been doing an outstanding job. This is a good example of a bottom-up approach to local development, bringing together the resources of statutory bodies, local groups and the voluntary and community efforts. I pay tribute to the work of local development companies and those who work with them.

I am aware of the concerns in local development companies and the Irish Local Development Network about changes under discussion. It is important that the role of the local development companies and networks is maintained. There are areas where better value for money for the taxpayer can be obtained by ensuring there is no duplication between what local development companies and local authorities are doing. There is some scope in that area. I have every confidence that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will take on board the concerns that local development companies have. I share the Deputy's concern that the local development companies should have their role continued, as the work they do should not in any way be put at risk. The effort should be continued, developed and enhanced.

The best tribute that could be paid to local development companies, members of the boards and the people they serve is to maintain them in their current form. They are doing an excellent job, and the Leader companies directly and indirectly employ thousands of people across the country. By ploughing ahead with the proposed changes, the Minister, Deputy Hogan, is facilitating a grab on local democracy, centralising power rather than leaving it to local communities. I could go on for hours about the amount of excellent work being done by local development companies around the country but we must seriously consider the current position. Representatives of the network have left the discussions because they do not believe their points of view are being represented. This is a serious juncture for these companies so I ask the Tánaiste to ensure the local development and Leader companies will continue as they are currently constituted. They have done a fantastic job and Europe has noted what a great job we have done with the Leader programme. Nevertheless, it seems we are to dismantle it.

Will the Tánaiste confirm if the Leader companies as currently constituted will be facilitated in every way by the Departments of the Environment, Community and Local Government and Agriculture, Food and the Marine in order to be allowed tender for the next round of Leader funding?

It is important that the talks under way should continue. I understand from the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government that the ILDN has resumed its participation in the talks and I very much welcome that. It is in the context of those talks that a resolution should be found to the issues in dispute between the local development companies and the Department.

I will paraphrase what the Deputy said, so forgive me if it is not exactly what he meant, but he seemed to argue that everything should be left as it is. We live in a world where leaving everything like that is no longer an option, and change is a reality now. However, change must be reasonable and should be discussed with all relevant parties. More importantly, change must focus on delivery of service, and these companies deliver an important service. In the process of change, the very important role of the local development companies should be recognised, developed and enhanced.