Mr. Joachim Hansich:

This morning, I had an opportunity to listen to the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, describing how Ireland has made successful efforts to go beyond the economic crisis and emerge from it, which is quite impressive. Will the committee comment on how communities at local government level are supported by the State in their challenges with the financial crisis? Is there a mechanism whereby local authorities are supported in their efforts to deal with the crises in unemployment and with their own financial budgets?