Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, and Limerick. Such amalgamations have occurred, and I believe there are only three counties - Cork, Galway and Dublin - that do not have one local authority dealing with both city and county. It is a matter that is under review. I take the Senator's point regarding inequality of representation and I sympathise with him on that point. I am sure it is something that local authority members in those areas will bring to the attention of the Minister and their representative associations.

With regard to the next election, I can only surmise, the same as anybody else, when it will be. My gut feeling is that it will be probably in February or March of next year, but I am only one voice. The only voice that counts is the Taoiseach's and I am not aware of what is in his mind on that matter at the moment.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of city and county councils. As the Senator is aware, the representative associations have been seeking for some time to meet the Minister to raise with him the points covered in the motion in question. I am pleased to advise the House that the Minister will meet the representative associations this week, and hopefully those matters will be addressed.