Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

We have not been given any new information by the Minister. It will be October by the time the legislation is published and brought through the Houses. There will be no mayoral election before the end of October and it will hardly be held in December so that leaves November if the Minister wishes to hold the election this year. Has there been agreement in Government to hold the election this year? The Dublin Chamber of Commerce was initially very positive about the heads of the Bill when published. How does the Minister envisage the relationship between the directly-elected Dublin Mayor and the other four local authorities?

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