Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

This is a welcome debate because it allows us to deal with the reality of local government as opposed to mythology. Local government plays an important part in the life of the nation and is an integral part of the democratic process. Accordingly, I fundamentally disagree with some of the comments made by my friend and colleague, Senator Norris. His view of local government is somewhat distorted. It has a representational and operational role so statements that it has to introduce charges are pure political nonsense. It is time we grew up as politicians and accepted that services have to be paid for. For good or evil all parties made a decision in the late 1970s to abolish domestic rates. If Senator Bannon checks his facts he will find that the first decision in that regard was made in September 1976. We can all wring our hands but we must be truthful.