Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support Deputy Murphy's amendment. I wish to echo the questions put to the Minister of State. Will he clarify whether the proceeds from development charges, or a portion of them pertaining to water, will now be transferred to Irish Water?

It is opportunistic in the extreme when one considers that last night we were discussing the fact that liabilities of €460 million associated with Irish Water are not to be transferred but that the income generated from this stream is, of course, to be transferred. The prospect for local authorities in initiating development is greatly enhanced in the event of it having this source of income available to them, considering the constraints that now exist with regard to the Local Government Fund. I am also conscious of the fact that many rural and group schemes would not be in a position to be kick-started were it not for the availability of funds and expertise at the disposal of the local authorities to help people in doing that.

I ask earnestly that any such commitment given at this stage be reconsidered with a view to those funds being retained by local authorities. I am conscious of the presence in the Chamber of the Minister of State with responsibility for rural affairs. I am sure she, too, would like to have those funds retained and available in the event of local authorities being in a position to assist people reside in rural areas and maintain the fabric of many rural areas that might otherwise be in jeopardy, in the event of the sort of funding necessary not being made available for people to set up group schemes. Make no mistake, these would not be deemed to be profitable nor, in the event of privatisation, be deemed to be a network that would merit the interest of anyone seeking to purchase a network in the future. These and similar schemes would be the ones left behind and therefore, there is a significant obligation on us as representatives to ensure the Government works in tandem and in co-operation with local authorities so the revenue stream remains, no matter how little it might be in present circumstances. It is hoped that planned initiatives or those committed to in the future would generate the sort of activity which would allow that funding to be made available again to local authorities in order to initiate development in their respective areas.

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