Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I also welcome the publication of the Green Paper on local government reform. It will be followed at the end of the year by a White Paper. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, has instituted an important policy of public consultation. As to the vexed question of local government finance, that will be dealt with by the Commission on Taxation which will report by the end of 2009. I am confident the twin-track reforms in the structures and funding of local government will be dealt with in the short term and this will help the House to debate the contents of the Green Paper as quickly as possible so that we can help inform that debate and consequent public consultation.

Senator Regan, Senator Alex White and I are members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Constitution which is discussing constitutional provisions on the freedom of expression. It may be unfortunate that a recent court case did not deal with the area of Oireachtas privilege because if that were properly defined we might avoid the type of events that led the Cathaoirleach to make the judgment he had to make yesterday.