Mr. Denis Conlan:

I will pick up on some of the questions on models. In the developing the report, a number of sources were examined as was the case with previous reviews. In the sub-county area in particular it is valid to state the concept of a wider municipality rather than simply the built-up area of a town is very much in line with the European model.

In France, for example, the sign for a town will be five or six miles - 10 km - outside it. This fits in with Senator Ned O'Sullivan's question on Listowel which is the centre of its wider hinterland, which is in line with the European model. Instead of having isolated town authorities, there would be a municipality with an urban centre. This reflects the fact that communication between a town and its hinterland is greater now than it was when the local government system was put in place in the late 19th century.

Regarding section 140, it is important to point out that the decision is a response to a specific recommendation in the Mahon report rather than any expression of mistrust of elected members.

In terms of regional assemblies, Mr. Dowling mentioned Dublin and the wider area. Dublin's reach is long and it is difficult to know where exactly to draw a line. There is no strong regional identity in Ireland. In Germany and Spain, for example, there are strong and self-defined regional identities that relate to their histories. It is the same in France to some extent. Italy was divided until the mid-19th century. We do not have that type of regional configuration. However, Dublin and the eastern area have been influenced strongly by spatial considerations, in that Dublin now exerts an influence over a wider area.

The potential of strategic policy committees, SPCs, is referred to in chapter 11. There are proposals to review their role. The experience to date of their effectiveness has been mixed. Proposals include more specific accountability by the relevant directors to SPCs and a general commitment to strengthening the role of SPCs and their chairpersons. The document recognises the potential in this regard.

The document is not prescriptive about population thresholds in metropolitan areas, but a figure of 100,000 was referred to in the original report by Mr. Denis Brosnan's group and is quoted in this document as the expected target figure for Limerick and its hinterland. The figure for Waterford encompasses the city and county areas. The report of the group chaired by Mr. Seán Aylward has referred to a natural geographic area consisting of the city and an area in the county's eastern side as suggesting itself as a wider metropolitan area.

Adjacent counties were mentioned. The terms of reference of the groups dealing with the unification process specifically instructed them to have regard to the need to develop arrangements, be they service level agreements or agency arrangements, to deal with the overspill from city areas into adjoining areas. The report of the Waterford group highlights the benefit of drawing up planning strategies, for example, retail strategies that take account of the influence of adjacent counties.