Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

The Minister will have to cross over here for that. Something could be done to give more power and accountability to councillors. I previously raised the concept of getting county managers and directors out into the community to see problems at first hand. In my Army days, we would come back six months or a year later to see if the money had been well spent to resolve an issue and if it had worked successfully. We are all aware of small projects we could seek for five, six or seven years, yet if we put the same energy into doing the work ourselves with a pick and shovel, we could solve the problem much sooner.

The Minister referred to a grant for local community gain. Where there is a downside project, such as a landfill or incinerator, there must be a gain for the community. Allied to that gain the message must go out that if one community takes a downside project, when it is terminated, the next such project should be sited in another community. We must all take our share.

See this speech in context