Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the second part of our public session we will discuss a report, The Rural Challenge: Empowering Rural Communities to Achieve Growth and Sustainability. I welcome the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, who is accompanied by Ms Deirdre Moloney, assistant principal, EU and national rural development, Ms Deirdre Kelly, administrative officer, EU and national rural development, and Mr. Patrick O'Sullivan, assistant principal, planning and housing policy. As the visitors are well accustomed, having attended various committees on many occasions, we will not go through the note on privilege. It is good to have them here today.

I invite the Minister to make a presentation to the committee on The Rural Challenge: Empowering Rural Communities to Achieve Growth and Sustainability.