Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

These amendments are crucial for local authorities. In effect, each authority is now a major business and is like a private company. Dublin City Council is involved in public private partnerships and can raise significant revenue. The previous speaker referred to the funding for local government. In 1997 the local government fund was €339 million. In 2007 it will be €947 million. While inflation in the period was 30%, the fund increased by 180%. Each local authority has responsibility for spending and raising its own money. The councillors have an input in the process when framing their budgets at the end of the year. I speak to councillors regularly. If they have an issue with funding, they speak to officials involved and make suggestions on how the funding might be raised.

On auditing, when dealing with such large amounts of money, it is crucial to have some control. In recent years we have heard much about value for money and ensuring that the State gets value for every cent it spends. It is essential that local authorities have the same control and these amendments will certainly help in that regard.