Seanad debates

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

Local Government Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages

 

10:30 am

Photo of John Paul PhelanJohn Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Much has been said over the years about the funding of local government. Senator Buttimer hit the nail on the head when he said we cannot expect the few to pay for the many. We have had a local government system since the late 1970s that has done exactly that. It has been changed a little since and different charges and taxes have been introduced.

I am acutely aware of what Senator Ó Domhnaill said about rural towns and villages. There are many issues but there are two ways of looking at this. As Senator Ó Domhnaill said, councils are under significant pressure in many parts of the country. There is, however, an element in some of the discussion of head-in-the-sand stuff that aspires to an Ireland of the 1950s and 1960s that no longer exists. Senator Ned O'Sullivan was a purveyor of men's clothing - perhaps ladies' clothing as well, although I am not sure - for many years in a fine provincial town.

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