Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

I would not be surprised if Mayo County Council was doing likewise, given that there is also a case that has arisen in County Mayo. The Health and Safety Authority's statutory right is being challenged by several local authorities throughout the country. A tragic accident occurred in County Donegal where resurfacing work on a road, which I can only describe as having been scandalously neglected, was abandoned by the local authority workers at 2 p.m. on the day in question and that led to the death of a young widow. In regard to that case, Donegal County Council is challenging, through the courts, the right of the Health and Safety Authority to exercise its statutory rights. The case is not sub judice yet but it will be and I am aware of the advice that has been given.

What happened in that instance was a scandal. The Minister for Transport, and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government hold the purse strings and if one holds the purse strings, one should be entitled to call the tune. They should instruct all local authorities to back off challenging the Health and Safety Authority which is only doing its job——