North West MEP Marian Harkin has praised Donegal County Council’s recent deferral of a decision on the make up of the new Local and Community Development Committee pending discussions on the role of Leader groups and other community bodies.
Environment Minister Phil Hogan wants to bring the Leader structure under the control of County Managers, arguing it will allow for a more streamlined model of local development.
However, Leader companies and local groups argue that their independence has been a vital element of their success, a point mde by representitives of Inishowen Rural Development and DLDC when they met with EU officials in Brussels this week
That meeting was facilitated by Marian Harkin, who says others should follow Donegal’s lead…………
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