Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This section and the comments we have heard tonight reinforce my point about the importance of the oversight committee being kept in place. Senator Lombard was on the money when he referred to the commercial rate base and said we cannot expect the few to pay for the many. There is acceptance that the vibrancy of Little Island and Ringaskiddy, to name but two places, in remaining in the county allows for this income source. As part of Ireland 2040, which is the fundamental strategic plan for the future of the population of Cork, we will see the county's population expand by 100,000 or almost one third in a short period. This will result in a significant increase in and added value for the county council's income sources, whether from local property tax, LPT, service charges, commercial rates and the new businesses that will be needed. We must be realistic in what we can expect the city and county to do. We cannot allow the city to pay the county in perpetuity but, equally, we must strike a balance and have a strong county. We cannot ignore or neglect the county and its needs in a new local government structure.