Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

As the Minister is aware, Sinn Féin supports radical local government reform and seeks maximum power and decision-making to devolve to local authorities. This means that local government should have increased powers over planning, waste management, housing policy, education and roads while retaining its powers over supply of water. We also support having directly elected mayors in towns and cities. I realise this does not sit well with some of the Minister's ideas on water, and where the related control will lie. However, we look forward to the arrival of this debate. I will watch very carefully what is to happen on the ground in the local authorities, in what ways they will be changed and whether some towns will lose councillors. It is very important.

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