Mr. Michael Walsh:

We will share them, if the Vice Chairman does not mind. In terms of the variation in the overall local funding, the reality is that the capacity of different local authorities varies significantly. The rates base, for example, is a significant player in that. Many rural counties would struggle in terms of having the financial capacity, and they have many so-called "have to" spends, be it in the water area or other contracted areas. The capacity varies dramatically across the country. The members will not find a manager or any elected body of councillors in the country who would not wish to spend more on their roads, but the reality is that the capacity is not there. The capacity to increase funding, for example, does not exist and has not existed in reality for the past three or four years and, as a consequence, there is that variation. That is a reality driven by simple financial circumstances.

We are not entirely clear, as of yet, about the influence of the property tax. The local authority system would welcome the capacity for local communities to contribute and to help decision-making in terms of the level of investment. In terms of the dependence on Exchequer funding for road maintenance, there is a myth that local authorities do the road maintenance. The reality is that for the past 15 years the ratio of Exchequer to local funding has been approximately seven or eight to one. Currently it is probably down to a ratio of four or five to one or three or four to one. Historically, there has been a dependence on Exchequer funding. In terms of our current capacity, the necessary spend per annum is in the region of €500 million to €600 million. There will be consequences three, four or five years down the line. It takes a period of time for that to show. We have been lucky that there has been reasonable investment during the Celtic tiger years, if I can use that phrase. That is standing us in good stead at the moment but there is pressure and a build-up of potential that is negative, and our opinion is that will demonstrate itself three, four or five years from now.