Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I note Senator White's comments on the additional funding of more than €20 million for the A5 road. As Senator Mooney mentioned, this project will be a major boon to the economy of the north west. I also note what Senator White said about the €1.5 million that is being sought by Monaghan County Council for the N2 road. I am sure that matter will be addressed in the coming months.

Senator O'Donovan referred to the funding of local authorities. Those authorities now have the power to increase or decrease the property tax rates that apply locally. The tax in question is a source of significant extra revenue. I note the Senator's point that recent revaluations of electricity, telecommunications and other utility companies have led to reductions in the rates imposed on a number of them. This is causing a problem for local authorities because they are being obliged to address shortfalls in funding of up to €1 million in some cases. It is the job of local authorities to try to deal with these issues. If additional funding is necessary, they have the means to collect it through property tax. I agree that rates have been an especially crushing burden for small businesses. Local authorities in the vast majority of counties and cities have kept that burden down, particularly in recent years. Let us hope they will be in a position to do so again when they are forming their budgets for next year.