Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am a little perplexed by the Deputy's comments. I have been very clear that certainty will be provided by the Government later today. Our response will be of scale. I said very clearly in my initial reply that there will be no cuts to local authority staff or services. I made that absolutely crystal clear. I also made it very clear that the components of today's stimulus package aimed at local authorities will be of scale and will be timely. I have been absolutely clear that the Department is liaising with local authorities to fill this gap and that we will come back this afternoon with clear certainty in terms of the trajectory to get through this pandemic. We will provide certainty for all local authorities. The Government has been to the forefront in supporting businesses throughout this pandemic. It has gone far beyond the effort made in other jurisdictions. That will continue to be the case. This stimulus package will be of the scale required to get our economy going again and to support all our small businesses.

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