Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State says he told them to keep spending, but we know what will happen. They will send in the bills and the Minister of State will say, "Hang on a second, we did not agree to that particular project". They need a specific allocation of money. In discussions I have had with Galway County Council, officials made if clear that they require an actual commitment of cash. In other words, they want approval letters, rather than being told "You keep spending it, and you'll be all right". That is what is happening at the moment, but it is about time the Minister of State put his money where his mouth is. He should put the money on the table for local authorities. It is not a large amount of money because they will be slow enough spending it, but it is a huge exposure. I have been told that Galway County Council is out of money. It has used up every kitty to try to do emergency work because it has received no money yet from the Government for roads, piers or coastal defences.

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