Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Deputy Leader to arrange for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to update the House on his plans for reforming local government. It is almost a year since he outlined his proposals and all we have gotten since then are drips and leaks about this, that and the other.

Everybody in this House recognises the importance of local government in this country, be it town council, county council or regional authority. They must be supported. Town councils, in particular, are faced with the sword of Damocles. It has been hinted that the smaller town councils will be abolished while the larger ones will be reformed. Sitting councillors who expect an election in two years time are not sure whether they will still have a constituency.

The Minister owes more than leaks to local government and, indeed, the two Houses of the Oireachtas. He has already dodged his own timetable twice. He indicated that he would make a statement at the AMAI conference, which took place several months ago, and that he would provide further information at the recent county council conference. He brought forth a mouse on both occasions. I hope the Deputy Leader can arrange for him to come to the House so that we can interrogate him.