asked the Minister for the Environment the consideration which he has given to reforming local authority financing; and the conclusions, if any, which have been reached.

22.

asked the Minister for the Environment the Government's proposals for providing adequate finance for local authorities; if such proposals include a plan for the introduction of a tax on people's houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Priority Question No. 59 and Question No. 22 together. While I have given detailed consideration to a range of options for reform of local authority financing, the question of conclusions or Government proposals does not arise in advance of formal consideration and any decision which may be taken by Government on the various matters arising. In the meantime local authorities continue to be assisted in meeting the cost of local services by a range of general and specific grants.

Would the Minister not agree that local authority financing is currently in a state of chaos? When does he intend to introduce comprehensive reforms in this area?

I do not accept that local authority financing is in a state of chaos but I do agree that reforms in that area are required. There have been some significant changes over the past year which have helped. They include the transfer of certain statutory demands by the Office of Public Works and ACOT to the Exchequer, the removal of the rates exemption on certain ESB property, the voluntary redundancy and early retirement package, earlier Estimates periods and the streamlining of the financial transfers to various authorities under the Local Loans Fund Act, 1987. These matters have helped considerably in so far as local authority financing is concerned but they are not the full answer.

Will the Minister not acknowledge that local authorities have so little finance that basic drainage work, such as would have prevented the type of flooding that was seen in Munster and particularly in Cork during the course of the last few days, is not being carried out and that the flooding that we have seen there is the direct result of his Government's policy and failure to provide basic funding to local authorities?

That is a separate matter, Deputy.

Does the Minister recall that on 21 October 1987 he said in the Seanad that the review with regard to local authority financing is at an advanced stage in his Department. He said: "I will be putting proposals——

The Deputy is quoting and that is not in order at Question Time. I want to deal with the two remaining questions.

Does the Minister recall that he said: "A cheer will go up in every part of Ireland——

The Deputy is persisting in quoting at Question Time. I must then call the next question, No. 60.

When will the Minister tackle this issue?

Is it possible for me to reply?

I have called Question No. 60.

On a point of order——

Question No. 60.

On a point of order——

The Chair will not be frustrated by Deputy Shatter.

The Chair is protecting the Minister.

How dare you suggest that. The Deputy will withdraw that remark.

The Chair is preventing——

The Deputy will withdraw the accusation against the Chair.

In the interests of the House I withdraw the remark.

Question No. 60, please.

I am prevented from answering that, unfortunately——

Doubtless the Minister will have another opportunity.

The local authorities do not have responsibility for the cleaning of the rivers of Ireland. It is a pity the Deputy does not know his brief a bit better.