Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

-----and that the Government will not approve both the Bill and the election date within this year because of the requisite time lag to ensure one gets the legislation right and that all the electoral processes are put in place to make sure it happens.

Second, the Minister should indicate what will be the status or powers of the other four local authorities arising from the election of a directly elected mayor. The latter will be an overarching person without a regional authority with autonomous elected members. Does he plan to change the existing four authorities in light of the creation of the new position?

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