Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to the House to update us on his proposals for local government reform and, in particular, to clarify his position on reported comments and comments he made in the House during a debate last session that he planned to reduce the number of county councillors in the forthcoming local elections? This is an important issue. He owes it not only to the House but also to county councillors and their electorate to spell out clearly his intentions in this regard. Will the Leader also ask the Minister to clarify his position on town councils and whether he intends to abolish or retain them and the reforms he proposes to make in this regard?