Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Buckley. I would like to raise a couple of issues with Ms Tallon. If we are looking for a model of something clear that can be picked up and understood by taxpayers, I suggest the table that summarises the individual local authority business cases is it. We need to give credit where credit is due. Over the course of these hearings, this is the first time I have picked up a document from any Department or agency and been able to quickly identify the business case and where is the value for money. I do not want to return to the kennelling allowance other than to say it is clear from the document that we should pay it. Given that we will have to rent a kennel space if we do not, we should save taxpayers' money by paying the allowance. I congratulate the person who put together the document. The committee is trying to ensure that information of this quality is always presented to us. I would like to mention another aspect of this matter about which I could be totally confused. I am somewhat boggled after discussing allowances for the last few days. Fifteen county councils are listed on the summary table. Am I to believe these arrangements apply in just 15 county council areas, or are the rest to follow? Is that from where the rest will come? Perhaps Ms Tallon will clarify that for me.