Vol. 550 No. 4
483 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will consider giving Kilkenny full city status under the Local Government Act, 2000 in light of previous concerns raised with him; and if he will make a statement on the matter [8955/02]
For many years Kilkenny has been referred to as a city, reflecting local usage deriving from a 17th century charter. The Local Government Act, 2001 specifically recognises the traditional usage of the term city to describe Kilkenny and provides that local charters will continue for ceremonial or related purposes, thereby safeguarding local tradition and practice.
These recent statutory provisions respond to the views expressed by the elected local council last year, prior to the enactment of the Bill by the Oireachtas.
