Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Minister of State's remarks. While this issue may seem to be partly abstract, that is not the case. The Minister of State said local government should be about the delivery of public infrastructure and the provision of services for communities. He referred to the transfer of land to areas adjacent to the city. We need to continue and progress work in that regard. The point the Minister of State made is important in the context of the implementation group and the need to get this process right from day one. Arbitration can and perhaps will be contentious. This is an important issue because it is about the future of Cork and the local government structure delivering for the people of Cork. It is not about the book values of assets being transferred. It is not a power game or a case of pandering to whomever. That must not be forgotten. The importance of the Bill, particularly the transfer of assets, must be recognised. I commend both councils on their co-operation on this matter.

I will continue to make the point that we cannot afford to get this wrong. Previous Governments botched decentralisation and many other measures. This is about the country's second city going out into the world market and being a counterweight to Dublin.