I acknowledge that local authorities have autonomy in managing the defective concrete blocks scheme but yesterday homeowners were denied transparency. A decision was made not to livestream defective concrete committee meetings where important decisions are made about people’s lives. The councillors who voted against this access represent a deliberate and serious failure to meet acceptable standards of transparency. Homeowners want to know who supports them. The vote yesterday showed who did not support them. They shut people out of decisions that are being made about their lives. The public can and do see this is a betrayal. The country can see what is happening in Donegal. Denying access in these circumstances is unacceptable. These people are victims. What powers or guidance exists around transparency for homeowners? Does the Taoiseach agree that refusal is contrary to public interest, trust and transparency?

Refusal of what?

This is regarding the defective concrete committee meetings at council level. They were always broadcast live. A vote was taken yesterday to deny that and now they have been cut off.

I cannot be interfering in every single local authority in the country in respect of every procedural vote they have. We need to have some degree of balance in the House. I am not in the business of running Donegal County Council.

No, but this is the biggest scheme-----

I do not mean that in a facetious way but it is a fact. I am not aware of the precise nature of what transpired but the entirety of the council is made up of councillors democratically elected by the people of Donegal. Councillors take decisions on a regular basis, either weekly or whenever they meet. We have to have some balance on the separation of responsibilities - I will not say powers.