Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

That is the reality of the issue. I ask the Minister of State to investigate that case because if someone makes a planning application before the deadline but the council has a difficulty about which it informs the person at the last minute, it is unfair to push him into the new development levy period where he has to pay extra charges. That is totally unfair and in fairness to those on the Fianna Fáil side, they could not stand over that. I ask the Minister of State to investigate that.

Fianna Fail's record in this area is atrocious, going back to 1977 and the abolition of rates, which has starved local government of funding and has led to the various development levies being brought in. In years to come, people will be very bitter. They are currently paying development levies but are being told not to worry about it. I understand that under the local amenities heading the provision of footpaths, lights, benches etc. is being considered but in a few years time when the people involved are settled in their new houses and there is no sign of these amenities coming into the area, they will question where the money went and will suddenly realise they have been conned.