Mr. John McCarthy:

I thank the Deputy. Sligo and a number of other locations were designated as gateways under the national spatial strategy which was launched 13 years ago in 2002. The world changed dramatically for everybody in 2007 and 2008, which necessitated a significant process of retrenchment and efficiency across the local government system and public bodies. Staffing reductions, for example, in local government over the period 2008-14 were significant, at 28% to 29%. All local authorities had to implement measures to balance their financial situation. During that period the Department took a number of initiatives to assist local authorities before we found ourselves not having the resources to sustain some of those, but we did make efforts. The new national planning framework process is starting. The implications for Sligo or other parts of the country remains to be seen but the primary responsibility of the budget of a local authority rests, under the law, with the elected members of the local authority.

I would not like to give the impression that there is no compassion from the Department. Last year and this year, within the available funding, the Department has set aside an additional €1 million to be provided to Sligo County Council on the basis that there was an acceptable and sustainable plan for the council's finances into the future, upon which there has been much work and engagement between the Department and the council, with some considerable progress made. We are not quite there yet but we will continue to work co-operatively with the council.

On the Lissadell case costs, the State was not a party to those proceedings, it was Sligo county council. I note what the Deputy said about the council being encouraged by the Department but I am not aware of that. The issue of costs will have to be dealt with when they finally crystallise. I am not in a position to say any more on that at this point.