I cannot be forceful enough on this aspect of the Bill, which seeks to take functions from those of us who are local authority members. We do not know how much longer we will have that role, though perhaps the Minister will inform us later. Making this power a solely executive function is an affront and Senators on all sides share that view. I do not agree with this move, as it is not good for local government, for the people or for those with a vested interest in local government. Why has the Minister for Finance refused to fund benchmarking for local authorities? Why have the colleagues of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government in the Departments of Health and Children, Justice, Equality and Law Reform or other Departments been asked to fund the benchmarking report? Does the Minister for the Environment and Local Government feel it is reasonable for ordinary individuals to have to fund benchmarking by paying a 105% increase in service charges? That increase will be paid to councils and then shovelled back into the Department of the Environment and Local Government. The Minister for Finance can then give us two fingers and say: "I told you so and I will get away with this."