Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

The Minister indicated in previous comments on the White Paper that it would be launched concurrently with the announcement of the mayoralty. Has the White Paper being brought before the Cabinet or has the Minister a date on which he envisages it will be brought before the Cabinet?

Second, we are a million miles away from a mayoral election if one operates on the assumption that the legislation must be passed in this House first before such an election can take place. Moreover, the Bill itself has not even been finalised. There are a number of aspects to the Bill, particularly in respect of transport. Has the Minister or his departmental officials been in contact with the Minister for Transport, his officials and the NRA to deal with aspects of the Bill that are not covered at present, such as the issue of transportation for the Dublin area?

I am bewildered by the Minister's comments in respect of considering submissions. Deputy Hogan is correct to state that Opposition Members had a meeting with the Minister earlier in the year. However, I thought the purpose of the Labour Party, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin and everyone else was to deal with this legislation by amendment and debate in this House and not to participate in some sort of consultancy programme that the Minister might have in mind. Moreover, when the Bill does come before this House, the Minister should allow ample time for it to be debated. If such time is allocated, I do not know how the Minister will achieve the goal of holding the election this year.

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