Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

Will there be county managers for more than one local authority? All these matters are up in the air and we need a debate. We need the Minister to come in and explain where the Government stands on proposals for the proper funding of local authorities. The vast majority of local authorities are in dire straits in respect of funding. In most cases, they do not have enough money to buy salt for the roads over the bad weather period. I call for this debate to be held because it is important and I am disappointed the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is running away from this problem.