James Bannon (Fine Gael)

The most recent review of local government was undertaken in 1996 for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. That is now ten years ago. The report noted that Ireland has a highly centralised system of financing local government and highlighted the limited discretion for local authorities, insufficient revenue buoyancy and an inequitable funding system. Countrywide delays in sewerage schemes are a huge problem. The lack of investment in such schemes is a major threat to development, health and tourism in many areas. There are at least a half dozen outstanding sewerage schemes in County Longford. One of these is in Ballinamuck, a town made famous by a battle there in 1798. It was promised in the run-up to the general election in 1977. Albert Reynolds said he would never set foot in Ballinamuck again if he did not deliver a sewerage scheme during the term of that Government. So much for pre-election spin.

Aside from improved local government funding in the forthcoming budget, I want to see a realistic increase in old age pensions to a more equitable minimum level of €250 per week and a decrease in the age limit to 65 for all.