Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

However, 2014 is the appropriate time to have that because we want to initially develop functions from central Government to local government and the councillors. I do not see why there should be four local authorities, 130 public representatives and the appointment of a person who is effectively the glorified chairperson of a city development board. Does the Minister accept there is much work to do at a time of recession and that a cost of €5 million to set another layer of bureaucracy and another individual at the centre of local government in Dublin, when the person will not have any powers, is unjustified?

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