Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Ms Tallon and her team for attending. I start with a relatively minor issue about which there were media reports last week. I would like to clear it up. It is about the cost to local authorities of the new reform measures. The witnesses will probably have seen in last weekend's Sunday newspapers reports that some local authorities are splurging on the purchase of new furniture, including chairs at prices akin to the price of thrones, to accommodate new councillors. While we will have fewer councillors overall on foot of the review, which I welcome, some local authorities will see an increase in their numbers. Has funding been provided by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to accommodate extra public representatives and does the Department join me in urging local authorities to act responsibly in undertaking expenditure in this regard given that one of the purposes of local government reform is to reduce costs as well as to improve the system?