John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is over €100 million in debt in Sligo at the moment. It is an appalling vista where outstanding facilities and libraries are being closed for the summer months. Somebody has to take the responsibility. The Lissadell case was taken by senior executives, advised by legal people employed by local government. Their fees had been paid.

It is reprehensible to think that an investment of €100 million was encouraged in the gateway strategy without taking cognisance of who was going to pay for it when there is a reduction in local authority income. The water charge is a cop-out and even with the property tax there is a deficit. The remit is that the resources of local government are mainly used to provide local authorities with funding for the day-today activities and for the upkeep of regional and local roads. Local government funding has been financed mainly by the proceeds of the motor tax, the bulk of which is now going elsewhere. Could Mr. McCarthy confirm that of the €1 million set aside to be provided last year the figure of €700,000, which was agreed by the Department, has still not been paid?