John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

If we are to hold local government to account financially, they are necessary. The Deputy referred to the significant role played by and the considerable expenditure involved in local government. From the budgetary process on which I have embarked, I know how important it is to have a proper local government fund.

We require efficiency at local government level. When I was a councillor, I saw expenditure on items I considered to be extravagances. Each Deputy who has served on a local authority will have seen such expenditure and wondered why the authority took that particular route. We can save money through the audit committees if they do their job properly. The idea must be considered and expanded upon.

I hope the House considers the new Green Paper on local government reform. People are examining in detail the possibility of expanding the audit committees' role. I hope this aspect will be addressed when we reach our conclusions in the Green Paper, which will be published shortly after Christmas.

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