Micheál Martin: “It's important that when the people elect councillors that they have the decision-making capacity, in the local context…”

I was involved in these issues in the previous government and agreement was hammered out at that stage - an agreement was arrived at, and we want to do well by honouring that agreement on all sides.

What we're witnessing is growth in expenditure.

I've made my position clear in terms of where I think there can be derogations, and there doesn't need to be a picket.

This budget can't be seen in isolation.