Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the Minister of State's response and that this matter falls to the Minister for local government. I will take up the issue with the local democracy task force. I am the Fianna Fáil spokesperson for local government and I look forward to engaging with the task force.

One point that is very clear from the Minister of State's reply is that no action will be taken by the Department of Finance on the introduction of new revenue-raising powers for local authorities before the local democracy task force reports, which will not be until 2026. That is a very important piece of information for councillors to take into account.

In going forward, the local democracy task force is incredibly important for elected representatives, and not just in this area, as there are other issues that need to be addressed for councillors and other elected representatives in terms of the fine balancing of powers between councils' executive and elected functions. There is a real opportunity for the Government, with the local democracy task force, to work with elected representatives to deliver stronger local government in each of the 31 local authorities.

I thank the Minister of State for his time today. I will engage with the local democracy task force.