James Bannon (Fine Gael)

They are very prudent and conscious about taxpayers' money. They hold one meeting per month. I am told by councillors throughout the country that they tabled motions at these meetings regarding the extension of the deadline. Unfortunately, they had been expecting action from the Minister and had not anticipated matters reaching the 11th hour. That is why only three local authorities had time to submit a motion before the deadline. My local authority as well as Westmeath County Council and several others had tabled motions and were looking for an extension of the time deadline. Unfortunately, it did not happen.