Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Development charges have always been in place. It was a matter of streamlining them. The Government has not insisted on any development charges. Members can decide whether they want development charges. Senator Bannon knows, just as I do, that there is a multiplier effect if counties have additional development charges. It helps them, in no small way, to draw down additional funding. It is not an imposition on the part of the Government. Development charges have always been there. Members throughout the country took their own decisions. Some of them maintained the status quo and others increased development charges, which was in the best interests of the various local authorities.