Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I raise the serious deterioration and neglect of the beautiful town of Cluain Meala, the vale of honey. In 2014, the then Minister, Phil Hogan of Fine Gael, supported by Fianna Fáil via confidence and supply, abolished Clonmel Borough Council. On that day, Clonmel Borough Council had €145 million in capital assets and €30 million cash in hand. Every year for the ten years since that date, we have had a discretionary spend of €20 million, which amounts to €200 million. Money is being taken out of Clonmel, leaving it penniless. Yesterday's meeting of the new municipal district, a subcommittee of the county council was told it had €200,000 of a discretionary spend, up from €140,000 last year. We cannot continue with the undermining of the famed town of Clonmel, the biggest inland town in the country. It is penniless and cannot do any necessary works. Will the Tánaiste give a commitment before the election that he will restore the borough council to Clonmel and other boroughs? I am asking about Clonmel in this case.

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