Michael Brennan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State's announcement regarding the pavement study. It is important to see where the last six to eight years' investment has gone.

I share the Minister of State's view that flexibility should remain at local authority level regarding priorities. As he said, he is prepared to review these programmes with the local authorities. When the value for money study of the standards set by the Department over recent years comes to light, it will show the investment at local authority level was money well spent.