John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

A two-pronged approach is required in this regard. In the first instance, we must consider a number of expenditure cuts. I am sure the Deputy will agree that it also will be necessary to reform the public service. It is common knowledge that, unlike the boom years, there is not a great deal of activity in planning departments at present. I am obliged to ask myself what these staff are doing at present. There are demarcation problems in respect of the public service but I would like a situation to develop whereby it would be possible to move people from the public service into the Civil Service. I have tried to encourage some of the planners in the departments to which I refer to assist An Bord Pleanála in clearing its backlog. Therefore, the approach I am advocating involves obtaining real public service reform and examining the introduction of new revenue-raising measures.

I cannot state for certain whether we are in a position to introduce any form of water taxation. In light of the logistics involved and the capital investment required to put in place a system of water metering, it would be difficult to see it being introduced in 2010.

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