Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

On a serious note, we were promised a White Paper on local government by December 2008. What has happened to that White Paper? We discovered yesterday that at the meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party held on the evening before last, which, I am sure, some of those opposite attended, it was decided to establish a four-man ministerial committee to formulate Fianna Fáil policy, or was it Government policy, in respect of this matter, particularly in the context of regional authorities. As I understand it, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, and the Green Party believe in a top-down approach whereas Fianna Fáil believes in a bottom-up approach. Perhaps the Leader will enlighten us in that regard and indicate when progress in respect of the White Paper is expected to be made.

I also understand that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government spent €7.5 million — a tidy sum — on the procurement process relating to the incinerator at Ringsend. Will the Leader arrange for the Minister, Deputy Gormley, to return to the House at the earliest opportunity? It would be interesting to discover the latter's position, especially in the context of statements he has made and the cap that has been announced. As Senator Twomey indicated, contradictory signals are being sent out. I wish to ask what these signals indicate.