Joe O'Reilly (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

The principal of the Bill, that we should rationalise services and economise where possible, is sound. In this contemporary age of ICT, the use and availability of ICT and broadband for every function of Government and administrative situation makes the rationalisation of services a desirable possibility. It is desirable to pool resources and share services over a range of activities, such as ICT services in local authorities, paying people and HR services.

By way of cautionary note, I point out that the county structure Ireland is strong, with deep historical roots. It goes back to the time of Queen Elizabeth I and is rooted in Ireland. I welcome and accept the sharing of services as a logical process of modernisation and rationalisation to ensure value for money for the taxpayers. No alternative to the legislative proposals - on which I compliment the Minister, Deputy Hogan - could be contemplated or posited. However, the idea that a county manager might manage two or three counties is unsustainable. Even though it might seem reasonable from a theoretical, desktop situation, rivalry would exist and there would be a perception of discrimination or that one county had an advantage over another. We must maintain management at county level but we can share services and resources. The county structure is sufficiently strong and historical for that to be the case. The agency dealing with computer technology, which has its origins in the mid-1970s, is anachronistic and archaic in a modern context. It is right that it is subsumed into the normal local government structure. It is pivotal that we get as many services as possible administered centrally through the local government structure, with public accountability.

I welcome the principles on which the Bill is based, the objectives and what will be achieved. Ultimately, we are the custodians of the taxpayers' money and it is our duty to maximise the outcome to the advantage of the taxpayer and to eliminate waste where possible. However, I offer a cautionary note on the strength of, and loyalty to, the county structure and how well it works. I caution against a reduction or elimination of that structure and I humbly put my view to the Minister for consideration.

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