John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The commitment I can give the Deputy is that it is my intention to have the legislation in place before the new councils take office, which will be following the local elections at the end of next May. However, the Government is not responsible for the business of the House any more. The report to which I referred on additional powers for municipal districts across the country has been with the committee for over six months. I understand that it is the housing committee and that there are other things deemed by the membership to be more of a priority to consider, but it is my intention that the new council, once it is in place, will have the functions to which I referred in my answer.

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