Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Before the local elections, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government promised a directly elected mayor for Dublin in 2010. This legislation is found in section C, Bills in respect of which heads are yet to be approved by the Government, and will not be published until 2010. This will not give much time in the run up to the legislation. Is there a timescale for the Bill's publication?

The Minister also spoke at length about the various changes required in planning law, but none of them is evident on any list of planning Bills. Does this matter have greater priority than the control of dogs (amendment) Bill, which is on the section A list?

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