Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If we had not had the household charge this year, there would be €160 million less in the local government fund because we would not have been able to proceed with the Exchequer contribution. If this is added to the saving of €51 million we must make next year, it results in a total of €211 million. Deputy Catherine Murphy should tell me where we would get the money for local government if we did not introduce some measure to pay for the services provided by local authorities.