Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The Minister got carried away in trying to explain the comments of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey. I am glad he has overruled them and that he is a very strong supporter of local government, unlike the Minister for Transport who often speaks without knowing the source of his information. The Minister spoke about travelling throughout Europe but he should bring the Minister for Transport with him to show him the good work done in bottom-up approaches to local government. Will the Minister tell the House if it is the intention to have regional authority elections in the future, starting with the regional assembly elections in the greater Dublin area next June?

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