So much of the work we are doing is overlapping. I published the Local Government Reform Programme which is a very comprehensive set of proposals which are accepted by Government. If one was to pick out one word which runs through the programme and is at its heart, it would be quality. We are talking about quality initiatives here in terms of ensuring that best practice pertains to local authorities and their management of all services. That is the reform I want to bring about in local government and there is no reason why local authorities could not be, and in some cases already are, run as well as the best service industry.
I have exhorted local authorities not to think of themselves as bureaucracies but as service industries with customers whom they must serve. Unfortunately, in many cases local authorities have a monopoly on services and that puts an additional burden on them. Some local authorities have already applied for, and received, ISO standardisation for some of their services. Wexford County Council, my own local authority, was the first to be awarded an ISO standard for motor tax collection. There is no reason why every local authority should not follow suit. That would be the direction I would like things to take. Best practice and best international service standards should also be sought in the area of litter.
Deputy Sargent spoke about the release of helium-filled balloons into the air. I am in total agreement with him. We have to take action in such cases. The idea is to put in place a framework of requirements to create and carry out a management plan which will be monitored. Under the overlap with the programme for local government reform, part of the equalisation fund created will finance initiatives and best practice. I want to move away from the situation which obtained during my term of office as Minister for the Environment and for many years previously, where those who receive additional funding are the hospital cases which often have the worst practices. I want to award best practice.
There is a general tradition in administration in Ireland that the more money an organisation loses, the greater assistance it must receive. That is not sustainable into the future. The winds of change which swept the semi-State sector and brought dramatic improvements to companies such as Bord na Móna are beginning to affect the workings of central Government and must affect local government in the same way. Some people are addressing that issue while some are not. However, it will be a major task to bring about that change and I am encouraged by the enthusiasm I detect in its favour.