Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to second Senator Humphrey's proposal for the Minister to come to the House regarding local government finances. There is a crisis in that regard. The issues in Dublin City Council became clear last night. It has a shortfall of €80 million. Several councillors on Waterford City and County Council contacted me today regarding the cost-neutral or benefit-neutral situation in respect of the assets of Irish Water and its rates liabilities. They were of the understanding that the Government would sort this out but it has not been resolved. This is a recurring theme across the country. I have been specifically asked by Waterford councillors who contacted my office to raise the matter with the Leader.

On an issue that is closer to home for the Leader, I spoke to four councillors who moved from Cork County Council to Cork City Council regarding their remuneration or, shall we say, their gratuity package and who is liable to pay for it. I spoke to officials in the Department to seek clarification. The issue of who is liable to pay these gratuities is of concern to the Department and the Minister. The four councillors, three of whom are aged over 50, are concerned about their gratuity. Two of them are Fine Gael councillors, one is a Fianna Fáil councillor and one is an Independent. This issue needs to be considered. I am not necessarily asking the Leader to bring the Minister to the House to discuss it. Does the Leader wish to say something?