Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

We are supposedly developing a new method of funding local government. In theory, this money is to be spent on council materials. It will never get there, as it will probably end up with the bondholders. What will this legislation do to address the fact that Irish councils must pay twice as much for concrete from an Irish company than the amount for which the same company sells it to Britain?

Longer prison sentences are being proposed. One could introduce the death penalty, but it would be irrelevant if one did not enforce the law. If one does not resource enforcement, it will have no impact regardless of the penalties.

When people bought a house, they were hit by the cartels. The situation has destroyed the country. What will this legislation do to prevent it from recurring? The Minister of State mentioned that this matter does not relate to concrete, but it is a good example. After the Bill passes, will we be able to buy concrete for the same price as one can buy it in Britain or are we wasting our time?

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