8 March 2006

Environment

Indecon Report

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the connection made in the Indecon report between local authority accountability and locally raised funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Roche): 
I refer to the reply to Priority Question No. 4 on today’s Order Paper. While I will be pursuing a number of initiatives in line with recommendations made in the Indecon report on local government financing, I do not intend to implement the recommendations regarding the introduction of domestic water charges and new taxes on non-principal private residences which would run counter to current Government policy. may continue between Ireland the European Commission.