Máirín Quill
Question:66 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment his views on the proposals contained in the Devolution Commission's interim report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1391/97]
Written Answers. - Devolution Commission Report.
Robert Molloy
Question:292 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Environment his views on the proposals contained in the Devolution Commission's interim report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1705/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 292 together. The Government's response to the first interim report of the Devolution Commission was set out in a Government statement issued on 1 August, 1996 by the Government Information Service; copies of the statement were laid before both Houses.
"Better Local Government — A Programme for Change", published on 19 December 1996 takes account of the Government statement and outlines a major programme for the renewal of local government; copies of the programme were distributed to all Deputies and Senators and laid before both Houses. The work of the Devolution Commission, which operates under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach, is ongoing and I understand that a second interim report is in preparation.