Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A lot of this bypasses the budget because it is direct money. Councillors need to be in the frame. It is the same with housing, which is the biggest issue facing local authorities. Councillors need to be bought in to be part of it. I am a former chair of a strategic policy housing committee. People who elect local representatives expect them to have some hand, act or part in the decision-making. It is unfair and unworkable. We are destroying local democracy. That is all I want to say. We will take a break for ten minutes sharp and we will resume prior to 11.20 a.m.