Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

I have a supplementary question. If the Minister is giving this money to local authorities, why are there higher charges for water rates and development fees? Why are local authorities' commercial rates rising every year? Why are local authorities unable to balance their budgets, even with the 7% increase approved by the Minister, and still must impose such additional costs on the householders and business communities within their localities?

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