John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

Efficiencies have been made, in particular with regard to the organisation to which the Deputy has just referred and the authority has reduced staff numbers considerably. The other agencies mentioned will be kept under constant review. We are very cognisant of the fact that we are going through an unprecedented economic crisis and that we must, as a result, cut our cloth accordingly. I have no difficulty in doing that. We have made significant savings over the past number of years and as a result local authorities are suffering. The local government fund has been reduced and local authorities have had to make huge savings. That will continue. I believe we can make major savings through the kind of reforms we have recommended. The amalgamation of the local authorities is not without controversy and it will take significant political will to introduce these political reforms, but I am happy to do that.

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