Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The Minister mentioned the programme for Government and the Green Paper which, in chapter 2, mentions that, because of the small size of Ireland, there is centralised administration, with people having an affinity for local structures. The Green Paper did not advocate strong elected regional authorities. Is that still the Government's position? In the light of the fact that the Green Paper was strongly supportive of local government structures, is it still Government policy to have county, city and town councils, taking into account the recent comments made by the Minister's colleague, the Minister for Transport?

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