Mr. Robert Watt:

We will see what the position is and whether the amounts involved have been reduced. The rates for people employed in the public sector and for those who provide services to the public sector have been reduced significantly and across the board. We will see what is the position in respect of the valuation tribunal.

In the context of the issues the Chairman raised in respect of local Government, I would be perfectly happy to engage in a robust debate with him on any issue. I would also be perfectly happy to listen to criticisms of the system. I have done this before and I have no difficulty doing it again. With regard to local government, I am in favour of merging the committees and of the Comptroller and Auditor General taking on the role to which the Chairman referred. I have no problem with that - it is a policy issue - but it is my view that it should happen. I do not know why we do not have a single audit service for the system. However, there are 1,700 councillors throughout the country and is it not also their job to ensure that the local authorities on which they sit expend money in an appropriate way? They are responsible for setting rates and local authorities are half funded by means of commercial rates. There is a role here for officials from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and for an audit service. However, 1,700 councillors also have a role to play. It is the job of the latter to ensure that money is spent correctly.