Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will publish the White Paper on local government reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36532/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I published the Green Paper, Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change, in April 2008. The Green Paper presents a set of options which share a common theme of strengthening local democratic leadership. For example, Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change proposes a regional mayor for Dublin to meet the strategic challenges the city faces. The paper also suggests that local leadership, accountability and connection with the citizen would be achieved through the provision of directly elected mayors with key powers of initiative in other areas. A suite of further proposals on issues such as town government, participative democracy, regional governance and service delivery are also included in the Green Paper.

Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change represents the initial phase of a transparent, inclusive policy formulation process. Its purpose was not to arrive at a single solution but to present options for further consideration. Following the publication of the Green Paper, my Department conducted a public consultation process to inform the drafting of the White Paper. The consultation process included a series of six regional seminars held over the summer, to gather as full a range of perspectives as possible.

I am considering the outcomes of the consultation process, including the many written submissions I received. I hope to finalise the White Paper on local government by the end of the year. It is my intention to see a stronger, more vibrant and more accountable form of local government at the end of this process.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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I refer to two initiatives in the budget, the second home levy and the car park levy. Will the Minister give details on how these will be administered and how the money will be collected? Will he confirm that the money will be available for local authorities to spend?

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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I welcome any response to those questions. The scheme cannot be implemented. As someone who has served on a local authority, in opposition and in power, I refer to connectivity between national and local government. Does the Minister see merit in the idea that strategic policy committees of local authorities, which should have a strategic role in the development of regions, would be better served by having Oireachtas Members from the area included? This would be the same as policing committees facilitating Oireachtas Members. Is this a consideration he will examine when drawing up the White Paper?

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Will the Minister commence the section of the Local Government Act that allows towns to set up what were town commissions and are now called town councils? This has not been commenced since the legislation was enacted. Many towns want to do so.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The matters referred to by Deputy Terence Flanagan will be dealt with by the Minister for Finance in the forthcoming Finance Bill. In the context of the White Paper, we are examining further initiatives for extending the revenue base of local authorities, which is what the tax on second homes is all about. I hope Deputies in the Labour Party see this as an equitable and progressive measure. Clearly it is aimed at those who have the money to have a second, third or fourth property.

Deputy Lynch referred to strategic policy committees. I was delighted to launch the policing committees, which has enhanced local government. Local authority members want an input. I will take on board the Deputy's suggestion, and what Deputy Tuffy suggested, which will be dealt with in the White Paper.