Ms Gillian Coughlan:

The Dutch model is one with which people are very familiar. The budgets are rolling. They are in touch with their executive all the time. They are professional politicians. There is clear legitimacy and a sense of accountability. This money was spent to build a sports centre and we are building it. That is the decision and we are doing it. The money is there and that is it. How long would it take in Cork County Council? We just cannot make those decisions in our municipal districts.