Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have been here since 10.30 a.m. and we have had the opportunity to listen to those who have framed policy and the lived experience of those who have implemented it. Mr. Breandán Fitzgerald was so right in saying a seat is what you make it. I recall when I was a councillor and I heard the same issues spoken of then as were raised today. We made things happen regardless, however, and every person here still makes things happen regardless of the constraints or otherwise. A seat is what you make it. I am glad the Cathaoirleach pointed out the seat that Mr. Fitzgerald is sitting in. It is my seat and the best one in the House, so he should not worry.

Many points were made today. I have noted them all, so I will not go back over each one. On the final point made by Mr. Morris, though, in respect of budgets and powers, it was mentioned that the last budget in Nenagh was for a sum of €3.2 million. I was a town councillor for 15 years, as well as a county councillor. One of the last budgets we had in Navan during my time was for more than €10 million. It all came from our own local rates and parking charges revenue. We had our own planning powers as well, so we were able to deliver on the ground. A finance official subsequently said to me that because the town council budget was so concise, it was possible for us to go through it line by line and to see where every item of expenditure went. If we look at a county council budget now, though, in County Meath, for example, this is now totals more than €100 million. It is not possible to disseminate it in the same way as a town council budget. It is right to say that the answer to this problem is to put the budgets at the municipal district level on the same old basis as used to happen at the level of the town councils. This would not be about reinventing the wheel but concerned with allocating these additional powers.

The purpose of today's meeting was to try to tease these issues out to enable us to see how we can, at least in an interim way, try to help and ensure the effectiveness referred to comes about.

As for things sitting on a shelf, the Cathaoirleach of the committee, Senator Mark Daly, and all the members here are adamant that the draft report will make sure that the main political parties and Independent groupings enshrine this as part of their manifestoes in order that we see results. We have engaged the help of the research team to go back over some of the areas that have been taken away from local government in order that we can encompass that aspect in the report as well.

The contributions by the witnesses in terms of both the written submissions ahead of this meeting and the debate today have been very helpful and insightful. I thank them for taking the time to come to the Chamber of Seanad Éireann to make that contribution.