Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Ring, knows better than anyone that agreeing to announce the level of funding in the year will make an awful difference to our local authorities. I cannot let the opportunity go without praising our own local authority, Kerry County Council, the management engineers, its area engineers and its senior executive engineers, who work diligently. I praise every one of the contractors too. They play a vital role because, unlike a lot of people in this House, they create a lot of employment. Some politicians in here never created one job for anybody so we have to compliment contractors who create work in their local communities. It is fortunate they are there.

The early announcement of the money will help the excellent staff in local authorities, not just in Kerry County Council which is, obviously, the best local authority in the country. They will appreciate it and they will be grateful for the Taoiseach's announcement. It is what I call sensible work by Government. Every €1 million more than the €10 million announced last year, however, would make an awful difference and would be most welcome.

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