Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I listened carefully to what the Minister said. I agree with him that this is an important Bill. However, the changes being made in this Bill are not reform but a dismantling of local government. While some people believe it will have a positive impact on local government, I believe that impact will be negative, particularly in my region in that it will no longer have a focal point. I agree with Senator Cullinane that every region, in terms of economic, cultural and administrative progress, needs a capital and a focal point. As I said yesterday, Waterford is a prime example of a council that takes pride and a genuine interest in its city. I have met people prior to their going abroad to promote the interests of Waterford city, which was indirectly of assistance to the region. This focus will now be part of a wider agenda for the county as a whole. The alignment of the interests of the city and county do not always coincide. We are losing something, therefore, in terms of what is being done.

The Minister was generous to point out the progress made by former Minister, Martin Cullen, with support from the then Government and in respect of which there was a great deal of lobbying by Kilkenny County Council in ensuring construction of the motorway went ahead. It not only benefits Waterford but Kilkenny and Carlow. It undoubtedly was the foundation stone upon which economic growth in the region began. Five years into this recession, approximately €50 billion has been allocated in next year's budget for current expenditure. Nothing has really changed since the current crisis began. In the past, the allocation for current expenditure was somewhere between €50 billion and €60 billion. It has been clipped a little since while capital expenditure has been cut by €3.3 billion, which is significantly more than half in the same period. I have made this criticism previously. The Minister's comment in regard to former Minister, Martin Cullen, raises the question of what the Ministers, Deputy Hogan, and Deputy Howlin, will have to show for their tenure in government with regard to the south east. What achievements can we point to?