asked the Minister for the Environment if he will define and enumerate the essential and emergency services which his Department consider are provided by local authorities to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The powers and functions of local authorities are prescribed in an extremely large body of legislation which does not classify these functions by reference to the categories mentioned in the question. The legislation allows a broad measure of discretion to the individual authority in relation to the level of service to be provided in any area having regard to individual circumstances. Many different local authority services may be required, depending on the circumstances, to respond to emergency type situations. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to have satisfactory plans available so that their services will respond speedily and effectively.

I have copied the phrase which was contained in the press statement issued on the Minister's behalf by his Department when he announced that there would be a 14 per cent reduction in 1988 in the rate support grant: the assurance is contained in that phrase that local authorities would be able to continue to provide essential emergency services. Presumably whoever drafted that press release had an outline of the essential and emergency services. Perhaps in the supplementary briefing which the Minister has there is a summary of that outline which he can make available to the House?

I can see the Deputy's difficulty and I recognise that he understands that local authorities have to establish their own priorities for the different services under their control. Local needs are different depending on the part of the country. There is not an exact list as to what one authority or another would regard as essential or emergency services. The important thing is that an essential level of service is maintained by the authorities. In a large city, as the Deputy would appreciate, refuse disposal would be a vital service whereas in a small rural local authority area it might not be seen in the same way and other methods of disposal would be availed of. Everybody understands what is regarded generally as being emergency or essential services, but it is a matter for each local authority to decide on their priorities in relation to different services.

I understand the Minister's difficulty but do I take it that the press release issued in his name was issued without checking with each local authority that they would be able to provide essential and emergency services? Given the pressure of time which no doubt existed for the Minister during the course of this busy autumn, could he say that where a local authority because of local terrain or other conditions is not able to meet the assurance of providing essential and emergency services he will facilitate them with the extra resources necessary?

There was no difficulty with the press release. My understanding from the local authorities is that they will be able to maintain what each of them regard as essential or emergency services.

When the Minister says it is his understanding that local authorities will be able to provide such services, has that understanding being informed by a written communication from each local authority?

No, it is not, I expect that will be a matter for discussion for each local authority at Estimates time.