Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government recently announced spending limits for the local elections. He said he would underpin the announcement with legislation that could not be included in this Bill. What is the position with the promised legislation mentioned by the Minister? There are 14 weeks to the local elections and it is only two or three weeks to St. Patrick's Day. The Houses take that week off. The legislation must be introduced but it has not yet been published. It is of the utmost importance that the promised legislation either be included in this Bill or be published and put before the House as soon as possible. We are nearly at the run-in period to the local elections.