Avril Doyle
Ceist:7 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment the legislative changes he proposes to make before the town elections are held; and the date of these elections.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Government Elections.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:15 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment if the Government Committee on local government has reported; the proposals, if any, he has for local government elections in June 1994; if a final date has been fixed for the elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:62 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment the date on which town elections will take place in 1994.
Michael Bell
Ceist:128 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment if the election of members to the Ardee Town Commission will go ahead next year in conjunction with the European elections.
Michael Bell
Ceist:129 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment if the election of members to Dundalk UDC will go ahead next year in conjunction with the European elections.
Michael Bell
Ceist:130 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Environment if the election of members to Drogheda Corporation will go ahead next year in conjunction with the European elections.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:132 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment if he will sanction town commission status for Maynooth, County Kildare, or other towns in the county or elsewhere throughout the country; if he intends such approval to issue in time for the next town commission elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 15, 62, 128, 129, 130 and 132 together. The ministerial committee appointed to consider the question of local government at the sub-county level has made considerable progress but has not yet completed its deliberations. Pending consideration by the government of a report from the committee, I cannot say what changes may be made in existing arrangements. It is the aim, however, that the necessary legislation will be brought forward in time to permit elections to be held in 1994 in conjunction with the elections to the European Parliament.
Last week on the Order of Business when I questioned the Taoiseach as to when the urban or town elections would be held he said the Government expects them to be held next year. Can we expect these elections to be held in June in conjunction with the European elections? Will the Minister be as precise as possible, recognising that local authorities throughout the country are waiting to hear when the elections will be held and the legislative reform that will be necessary in advance of the holding of local elections?
I can go no further then saying we expect to hold the elections next June. They will be held in tandem with the European elections in June.
Therefore 9 June is the date for the urban elections.
That should satisfy all the Deputy's colleagues who, if we are to believe opinion polls, are facing a tough ride.
That was the best kept secret——
Order.
In relation to the proposed changes, this has proved to be a complex and multifaceted question on which even the Barrington committee failed to agree. Nonetheless, considerable progress has been made. We are attempting to resolve matters relating to the complex question of boundary changes, functions and devolution from Departments and it is my intention that comprehensive legislation will be enacted in early spring, by March if possible.