Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I say it in the context that the Exchequer has given more than €6 billion in funding. I am sure Mr. Doyle can appreciate that we would like to discuss the funding and have some oversight, and see that proper practise, etc., has been adhered to.

Mr. Doyle said they are independent. That is fair enough. We constantly hear references - I was a member of a local authority - to the independence and constitutional role of local government when, in reality, that is not the case. As long as local authorities are depending on Exchequer funding, there is very little independence. Then one would have the overbearing power of a county manager who, effectively, rules the roost.