Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

First, as a result of introducing the second home levy there has been a substantial increase in the funds available to local authorities last year. Local authorities must take their share in the adjustment and I hope that members of the Deputy's party, which has a rather commanding position in local authorities, will concentrate their minds and energies on making the necessary economies in the areas for which they have responsibility and will play their parts in the united national effort that is required. As for the question on the funding criteria, they are community criteria and the evaluation takes place at community level. The Government will do everything in its power to ensure that Ireland falls within those criteria on the basis of the submission it will make. I am well aware that flooding has done great damage, not just to households-----

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