Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The reality is the Government promised 80% of property tax yield to councils but, by last November, it had taken the money from them and given it to Irish Water. That is why local authorities are strapped for money. They cannot even repair footpaths. That is why officials look askance when someone comes along and says he will give them €50 million. They would like money now to plug the gap and address issues.

Tracts of farmlands are under water.

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