Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 328: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to address the concerns of a submission (details supplied); the proposals he has to meet with the group and county managers to discuss the variances or increases involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26963/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the level of local government charges is determined by individual councils. Local variations in expenditure, income and rates of charges in respect of various services are therefore an inherent feature of the local government system. Charges take account of local circumstances and priorities and represent decisions of democratically elected local bodies.

It is also right that local charges should be applied responsibly and in association with measures to increase the efficiency of local authority's operations and protect local competitiveness. My Department's advice to local authorities is informed by the above principles as, for example, in its recent advice to local authorities to adopt a reasonable and proportionate approach in the context of the new system of development levies.