Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The Minister has given us some indication about another set of committees he is establishing to make decisions. He has a group called the local government efficiency review group chaired by Mr. McLoughlin and he has recommendations. Why does he not seek to implement them rather than set up another group? Why must he sideline all his actions, which are important in terms of local government, to another implementation group in order to slow down the delivery of the recommendations of the review group?

The Minister promised us electoral reform measures in 2008 but we have not yet seen them. He also promised a White Paper on Local Government which we have not yet seen. He has committees sitting and reports coming in which are gathering dust.

With respect, all we hear is that the Minister will not make a decision but will send it off to another review group or implementation group and that he is one step away from executing the decisions.

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