Vol. 432 No. 7
46 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment when the Government Committee on local government reform is expected to report; the number of occasions on which the committee has met so far; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
70 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give a report on the work of the ministerial committee considering reform at sub-county level; the membership of the committee; the number of meetings to date; when it is expected to complete its work; whether a report of its findings will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 70 together.
Arising from the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government established a ministerial committee to consider and report on local government reform at sub-county level taking account of the various issues involved, including local finances and devolution of additional functions to local authorities in the areas of competence of several Departments. The committee, of which I am chairman, also includes the Minister for Health, the Minister for Social Welfare, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Office of the Tánaiste, and the Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach, Defence and Finance. In line with normal practice, the committee will present a report to the Government as soon as possible. Pending that report, I do not consider it appropriate to comment on the progress or procedure of the committee.
