Minister for the Environment Dick Roche expressed dissatisfaction with high local government charges. He said he was not happy with the "level of inflation" of the charges.
"There is responsibility on local authorities to ensure all charges they pass on are kept at the lowest possible level. At a time when local authorities receive more support from central government than ever, I am not happy with those levels."
He was replying to Labour environment spokesman Eamon Gilmore, who said the consumer price index indicated the average charges for local authority services had increased by 104 per cent since 2002.
"Does he recognise that the cost of this service is increasing all the time? Given the provisions of the legislation introduced by his government, county managers are required by law to impose the full cost of the charges."
Mr Gilmore asked if the Minister would not amend the legislation, could he offer some comfort for pensioners and those on low incomes with large families who faced charges which were a major burden. "They should be provided with some relief against them," the Labour TD said.
Later the Minister of State at the department Noel Ahern said that a Law Reform Commission working group was examining the law on the management of apartment complexes and other multi-unit developments.
"These or any further proposals for legislative changes in this area arising from the Law Reform Commission review will be a matter for consideration by the Government," Mr Ahern said.
