John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is not going to be any change in the idea of municipal districtsper se.I do not see why the idea of supporting the municipal districts with functioning management structures at local level cannot be dealt with under the planning framework. I will speak to my colleagues about that. We have included a new provision that will allow a joint structure to be put in place in respect of any town with a population of more than 15,000 that crosses a county boundary. I understand the Deputy's argument that this will not be sufficient for Drogheda. I envisage that this whole new structure will play a significant role in the proper development of the cities and towns across the country that cross county boundaries. There are some examples of good co-operation, including Carlow town. Laois County Council and Carlow County Council have co-operated for years. The local authority in Carlow provides many local services in the Graiguecullen part of County Laois that comes right into Carlow town. Sadly, that has not been the case in most other places across the country. These new structures are specifically designed to ensure neighbouring local authorities are forced, in effect, to co-operate with one another on planning, land use, transportation and the designation of where development will happen in the future. Such matters comprise just a part of a town's responsibilities. I will talk to my colleagues about whether additional resources can be given under the national planning framework to towns that will soon exceed 50,000 in population.