asked the Minister for Local Government the present position regarding his proposals for local government reorganisation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Government Reorganisation.
While I have not yet received the views of some local authorities on the Discussion Document which I issued on this subject, I am considering the views of those authorities who have furnished them. I may add that in the meantime there has been no hesitation in introducing relevant reforms where the need was clear, for example:
—the phased removal of health charges and housing subsidy from the rates so as to improve the financial position of local authorities;
—votes at 18 at local elections;
—restoration of elected local government to Dublin City and Bray;
—revision of local electoral areas to bring about equality of representation;
—removal of restrictions on certain people (for example, certain local authority employees) from becoming members of local authorities;
—extension of the system of postal voting at local elections;
—devolution to local authorities of greater responsibility in a number of areas of administration, for example, housing and sanitary services schemes, grants for private housing and group water schemes, in pilot areas, and speed limits.