THE regions need more autonomy from central government if they are to maximise their potential, the chairman of the South East Regional Authority has stated. Cllr Billy Kyne was speaking yesterday at the presentation of the authority's five year plan.
"The attitude of central government especially in allowing us reasonable funding is totally unrealistic and unacceptable," he said, urging the Government to implement the EU directives promoting regional development.
In his address, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Brendan Howlin, said a commission was considering devolution. He added that now there was experience of operating a regional authority system, the adjustments to follow would make improvements.
Mr Kyne wanted to see more cooperation between local authorities and between public agencies. The regional authorities provided a good mechanism for this and opportunities needed to be grasped, he added.
The authority's report analyses the strengths and deficiencies of the area under several headings. It also sets out a five year development strategy to secure a greater share of EU and national funding.