Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

What we must do in respect of any matter in local government, including how we devolve functions from national to local government, is to have an orderly examination of matters. It is not because one individual might have a particular view but in order that we take all matters into account. We have respect for democracy, local government and the law and we will not treat politics by having local elections every week. That might be what Deputy Boyd Barrett would like but I believe in giving people a mandate over a period of time in order to implement a local set of services and policies. The functions we seek to devolve from central to local government will be as major as I can make them and delivery of those services will be as close as possible to the citizen.

The matter the Deputy raised directly is the subject of a later question.

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