There are a number of quangos in most counties which have vast budgets, meet behind closed doors and are not accountable to anyone. In his contribution the Minister referred to local government functions. There is no meaningful role for elected representatives in the planning area because too many directives come from the Department and at the end of the day An Bord Pleanála has the decision-making power in that area. Major infrastructural development was taken out of the hands of local authorities and given to the National Roads Authority. We debated the Environment Protection Bill last night which, again, dilutes the role of elected representatives. The Minister said local government was being altered dramatically. This is detrimental to the elected public representative who has a lesser role while up and down the country quangos meet behind closed doors. When reforming local government I hope the Minister will get rid of those quangos and give the power back to the people's representatives, the elected members.