Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)

On the second matter, I am happy to raise it with the Minister for local government, Deputy Browne, and his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, who is also involved in this issue with me. On the first matter, I examined that issue and inquired into it. I was definitively told I could not make that change. The reason is the budget cycle is annual and the budget cycle here is also annual. When I referred to the annual budget cycle in the first part of my answer, I spoke about the budget cycle within the local authority. For that reason, I was told, the decision in relation to the base rate has to be taken each year when budget decisions are made. I pressed that issue because I am aware of the challenges there can be around making that decision. I am afraid that on that issue, I have to give the Deputy a clear answer but not the one he wants.

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