andMr. Barry asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state in respect of each of the commissions and interdepartmental committees referred to in a reply of 1st March (1) the purpose for which it was set up and (2) when it is expected that it will issue a final report.
Written Answers. - Commissions and Committees.
134.
The following is the information required:—
(1) Regional Development Committee—an inter-Departmental committee established to advise on the implementation of Government policy in relation to development centres and industrial estates.
(2) National Committee for Ireland for the purposes of UNESCO's Hydrological Decade—UNESCO is carrying out an international ten-year programme of research and co-operation in scientific hydrology. The objectives are to accelerate the study of water resources with a view to their rational management in the interests of mankind, to make known the need for hydrological research and education in all countries and to improve each country's ability to evaluate its resources and use them to the best advantage. I agreed to sponsor Irish participation and appointed the National Committee for Ireland.
(3) Advisory Committee for Sanitary Services Works—The Committee was set up to advise on problems connected with the national water supply and sewerage programme.
(4) Advisory Committee on Itinerancy—to advise Government Departments on measures to promote the rehabilitation of itinerants and their absorption into the community.
The foregoing are in the nature of advisory committees and the question of a final report does not arise in their case.
(5) The Inter-Departmental Committee on Local Finances and Taxation—to examine and report on the present system of financing the operations of local authorities and the incidence of rates on various classes of ratepayers and in particular on
(a) the changes, if any, which are desirable in the present system and
(b) the sources of local revenue as an alternative or supplement to rates which it may be considered practicable to recommend.
It is not possible at present to indicate when this Committee will issue a final report.