Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I have a question which relates to a combination of the issues involved. Local government is very inefficient. No matter what the State, the Government or the Oireachtas does, there is never enough money to do the job and it is never done. Local authorities' roads, housing and infrastructure are in a bad mess - notwithstanding the income from the local property tax. People are supposed to be getting value for money but I do not believe they are. I appreciate that this is a meeting to discuss the Estimates meeting and not policy but the question must be asked, taking Deputy Cowen's comments into account, as to whether it would be worthwhile looking at a review of the entire funding structure. Could an independent authority or consultant be appointed - I hate to use the word "consultant" with Deputy Cowen beside me - in order that we might have a real root-and-branch reform of local government - how it is funded and how it operates - in order to make it more accountable?