Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

I support the call for a debate on Northern Ireland, particularly in regard to local government. However, I caution that we should first have a debate on local government in this State, particularly with regard to better local government and customer-friendly services. The Government has imposed an embargo on 860 local government posts and the quality of service has been affected as a result. In Tipperary north, for example, planners cannot be appointed permanently and this is leading to an inconsistency in service. The frustration being experienced by the public as regards local government needs to be addressed urgently. For example, I recently waited on hold for 31 minutes on a telephone to the strains of "Have I told you lately that I love you?" If that is the quality of service that better local government can offer in the Republic of Ireland, then I would forewarn the people in Northern Ireland. This matter needs to be addressed. Employees in local government are being offered temporary contracts. That means good people move on after a short period of time. This needs to be addressed. In Tipperary north there are more planners than tourists.