James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

Local government is an essential element in any democratic state. Since its establishment in 1898, local government is the vehicle by which important services have been provided in the State. Is the electoral (amendment) Bill being delayed to accommodate the Green Party in its proposal to reduce the number of local public representatives in counties outside the Pale, including Cork and Galway? The boundary commission recently published its report on the constituencies for Dáil and European elections. The latter are fast approaching. It is important we get this legislation out of the way.

I have heard there is a proposal from the Green Party to reduce the number of local public representatives in constituencies outside of Dublin. Will the Tánaiste confirm if that is true?

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