Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I subscribe to the principle outlined in the document that local government funding should be raised locally for local priorities.

Councillors should also have an opportunity to vary this tax, upwards or downwards as the case may be, in the context of proper devolution of responsibility. This could be done in the same way as commercial rates levied on small businesses can be varied upwards or downwards.

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