The plan for the economic regeneration of the Border, Midlands and Western Region (BMW) - described by the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, as "the greatest opportunity since Independence" - depended on its speed and flexibility, the regional assembly members told the Government yesterday.
Speaking during a closed session with the regional authority members in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, the Taoiseach and other Cabinet members spoke in glowing terms of the "major innovation in regional administration", which was being promised as part of the plan.
The authority members, who will directly spend just £2 billion of the £13.4 billion package, told the Taoiseach they wanted to be consulted on an ongoing basis as the plan was implemented.
Mr Tom Feighery, a delegate from the Midlands Regional Authority, said the atmosphere at the meeting had been "good and welcoming" but there had been concern about what he described as "the ability of the institutions to move quickly". "These roads and things are going to take time to deliver but the Taoiseach is prepared to take action if they are delayed," he said.
On control of spending, Mr Feighery said extensive consultation on what needed to be done had already taken place and the regional assemblies themselves had made suggestions that were more modest than those proposed in the plan.
Mr Jim Stone, director of the Midlands Regional Authority, agreed that speed of delivery was the decisive factor in the success or otherwise of the plan.
