Michael McDowell
Question:26 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for the Environment the current position regarding a proposal for the reform of local government financing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20305/96]
Written Answers. - Local Government Financing.
Noel Dempsey
Question:35 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment the progress, if any, made to date in relation to local government financing in view of his statement that we now stand at a crossroads (details supplied). [17855/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 35 together.
The report of KPMG Management Consulting entitled The Financing of Local Government in Ireland was published last June. To encourage informed debate on the issue, the report was circulated to a wide range of interests, including all Members of this House, Senators, Government Departments, local authority members, regional authorities and the media. It is intended to publish, before the end of the year, an action-based strategy paper on all aspects of local government reform, including the funding issue.