Vol. 571 No. 1
1325 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government the reason no election to any new town council is envisaged in 2004; and the towns that might be considered for town council status in the near future. [21331/03]
Part 17 of the Local Government Act 2001 sets out, inter alia, the procedures for the establishment of a town council in a town with a population of 7,500 or more. Under these provisions a proposal to establish a town council is, in the first instance, a matter for the local community. A decision on whether to proceed further with such a proposal is a matter for the elected members of the relevant county council, following a public consultation process. Accordingly, the Act allows such town elections to proceed as necessary, independently of the local elections cycle. I envisage that the relevant provisions of the Act will be commenced in the coming months.
