Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

I presume he uses it to carry out his duties as a developer to finish the estate which is not up to the standard for taking in charge. However, it will not be taken in charge at all if the county manager has his way.

County managers, a special and powerful group of unaccountable officials, have seen and grasped an opportunity by using and imposing management companies on householders to privatise the provision and maintenance of public services that were traditionally the responsibility of local authorities. These include roads, footpaths, lighting, landscaping, green areas and water and sewerage schemes. The Minister, in reply to a parliamentary question tabled by my constituency colleague, stated green areas were not necessarily included. However, they traditionally have been and, while residents' associations help to maintain them, they are the responsibly of the local authority if the estate is taken in charge.

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