Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. We all await the views of the county manager in respect of the audit. I fear that we have seen more of this activity in other councils. The matter in Louth has been brought to our attention. I am not saying for one minute that what was done was wrong to the extent that there was very serious intent but I fear there could be other cases in smaller local authorities. There should be an independent way of assessing staff. There may be only three or four in an office, and they should not be making judgments, especially if their property comes up for consideration.

We should be examining further the suitability of the properties. Rules are laid down but I wonder whether Louth county council examined the matter properly. It gave one of the houses a low rating but still purchased it, costing the State an awful lot of money. We should be taking photographs of the properties, internally and externally. That would give us a better idea as to their condition. This is not done, although it has been done in respect of planning. If it were done at the time of purchase, it might represent a way forward in the determination of suitability at a later date. The clerk of works has a big role.

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