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

I will deal with Deputy Cowen's point first. Any lack of funds will have to be taken into account. If authorities do not get the money at national level they feel they should get for a particular key piece of infrastructure, that is important. However, local authorities will fund themselves a lot more than previously, through the provision of the local property tax. There will be a responsibility and obligation with that.