Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo what the previous Senator has said about inviting the Minister of State with responsibility for local government and electoral reform, Deputy Phelan into the House. However, I do not see any point in having him here until we have confirmation of his devolved functions as set down by his principal line Minister. It is my understanding that they have not yet been issued. There is no point in having him here until his specific statutory responsibilities and obligations to the Department as well as his own, stand-alone functions are clear. We need to know whether we are talking to somebody with devolved power. If he does not have this, we should have the Minister himself come to the House instead. One area I would like the Department to consider is the proposals regarding the rumoured changes to local council boundaries for the next local elections. I understand that a commission is about to sit or that terms of references are to be drawn up for one. I would like to hear more about that.

I would also like to hear some explanation as to why the payment promised by the previous Minister, Deputy Coveney, namely, the €1,000 allowance to councils outside of Dublin, Cork city and Galway city, was refused. A circular was issued by the Department in which the Minister undertook to pay these councils on 1 July. That date has come and gone and I understand nothing is happening. I appeal to the new Minister to look at the whole issue of county councils being treated equally and having the same terms and conditions in respect of allowances. I ask the Acting Leader if we could have either the Minister or the Minister of State, if he is given the relevant devolved functions - of which I would like to have sight of a copy - come to the House for a meaningful debate.