Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I would like the Leader to arrange a debate on the funding of local authorities. I have asked for this debate on numerous occasions and it would be very fitting if we had an emergency debate on this area. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation said last week in this House that he was going to ease the pressure on businesses from local authorities. Local authorities are in a very poor financial state. They are only responsible for rates for water and for refuse and this is the only way they can raise revenue at the moment. Where is the Minister going with his statement?

I understand the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is taking over some of the loans of local authorities and has handed them to NAMA. Will the Leader clarify this? Local authorities have bought expensive properties that are now in serious difficulty, and it seems the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is taking over the properties and handing over the loans and the properties to NAMA. I would like the Leader or the Minister to clarify that.