Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I was astonished to learn that a circular was supposed to have issued from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to local councils imposing yet another cut. It was reported in today's Irish Independent that the Longford county manager confirmed that €1.3 million has been cut from his budget in the seventh month. Local authorities are already suffering under the crushing blow of reduced estimates and allocations in the past number of years.

It is astonishing that the Department would act in vengeance against local authorities which are being penalised as a result of people not paying their household charge. As the county manager pointed out last night, it is not that the local authorities which are neglectful in attempting to get people to pay. This will make it more difficult for local authorities to continue to provide the services that most people take for granted. It is only when services are no longer available, as will surely happen between now and the end of the year, that it will become apparent. With further cuts, the future services for those who rely on the local authority will deteriorate. It is shameful that this Government will now penalise local authorities which are cutting their cloth according to the current economic measure. This is outrageous. I hope the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will come into the House in early September to outline his plans for the future funding of local government. Does he expect local authorities to collect each new tax he introduces? If people will not pay the tax, the local authorities will be penalised. That is shameful.