Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

That is fine. I will conclude, going through to section 12. I will refer briefly to the amendments I will introduce tomorrow. These will enable dual management arrangements to operate in Limerick and Tipperary and will specifically allow for the appointment of a single manager to both sets of authorities, pending their full merger in 2014. This will ensure there is clear and cohesive leadership of the reorganisation process in both areas. In this context, I am examining the findings of the local government committee in respect of arrangements in Waterford. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, will report to Government on the matter as soon as he has completed these deliberations.

The wider local government reform proposals the Minister will bring to Government shortly will reflect other work in progress in regard to various aspects of local government, including the merger and restructuring processes to which I have referred.

In addition to the amendments before the House, more substantive legislation will be required to implement the merger of the two authorities in both counties, the establishment of new unitary authorities and the transfer of functions, assets, liabilities, staff, etc., from the existing councils to the successor authorities. The wider policy proposals to which I referred may also give rise to the need for legislation depending on the final shape of those proposals and decisions taken by Government.

I look forward to engaging with Members of the House when we come to the further Stages of the Bill, which I commend to the House.

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