Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

The Minister has failed to come to the House. I would like to see him here sooner rather than later.

I agree with colleagues that culture night was a success. In Cavan I attended a very successful event in the Johnston Central Library on Farnham Street. I would like to see more such activities organised on a national basis throughout the year.

I also join my colleague, Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill, in requesting that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government come before the House to discuss his plans for local government reform. I raised this issue last week and will continue to raise it until the Leader successfully ascertains if the Minister will come to the House. There are many councillors throughout the length and breadth of the country who are in a limbo as to whether their electoral areas will be in existence at the next local elections, whether the number of councillors will be reduced in their counties, and I understand there are proposals that county councils of 25 members will be reduced to 20 or 21 members. This is a matter of grave concern not only to the incumbent councillors but to the public who demand a first class service, and rightly so, from their councillors. The sooner this issue is clarified the better. I request the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come into the House to discuss this very important matter of local government reform as well as the septic tank issue.