Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

On behalf of the Government side of the House, I thank the Minister. This is the first Bill in many years whereby a funding base has been provided for local authorities - it is an extra string to their bow. Concerns were expressed by Members on the other side of the House, which I respect. The response and assurances given by the Minister certainly addressed my concerns and I have no doubt about the sincerity of those assurances.

The Bill is the first of a number of Bills that will give powers back to local authorities. When we talk about locally elected members, we are talking about, first, the power to raise money and, second, the power to spend it. Without that, one has no power.

The Minister has done extremely well. He came before the House and addressed the concerns, and I accept what he said. He put down a marker in his address on Second Stage as to what he intends to do for the future in regard to local government. My nominating body, the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland, is extremely grateful to the Minister. He brought a number of issues to the House, not just the detail of the Bill and the effects it will have. He has certainly given local government, particularly town local government, a shot in the arm. Well done.