Minister to name and shame local authorities

ENVIRONMENT Minister Dick Roche will name and shame the best and worst local authorities for the first time this week when he publishes a league table on the spending records of the country’s 39 city and county councils.

Mr Roche announced a record €817 million funding for local government yesterday and issued a warning to all local authorities: "There is no need for any increases in service charges next year with this record 8.7% increased funding if local authorities are performing properly."

He also ruled out bringing back the controversial water charges and property tax for residential homes to fund local government.