Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The Senator might be closer to what might be happening in Meath County Council than I am, but as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government I am asking for a report of the meeting to see what was said and what conclusions were reached by the elected members on foot of that report. Full responsibility for the implementation of policy in local government rests with the county manager.

In any walk of life there has to be accountability and responsibility has to be taken for matters as serious as the ones that have accrued in this case, which has resulted in the taxpayer having to foot the bill, subject to appeal, of €4 million. Deficiencies were identified in the report carried out by two eminent public servants. On foot of the responses I will receive from the county manager and the consideration of the report this week by elected members, I will be in a position to make a decision about what will happen in regard to taking responsibility, in terms of what action is necessary in respect of the mistakes or deficiencies in the system or responsibility for the actions taken by Meath County Council.

I hope I will be able to get a full account of all the circumstance that led to the outcome of the report being so negative in respect of Meath County Council.