Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate where the Minister of State is coming from. She is delivering this response on behalf of the Department, which is not her Department. It is interesting, however, that all the political parties and Independents do not know the date. What is the reason for the reluctance of the Minister to confirm? Surely it is about participation, democracy and encouraging people. I will scan this reply to send it to the 949 councillors and tell them that I followed it up again. The Houses of the Oireachtas press office issued this Commencement matter this morning anyway and I have also circulated it nationally, so I will be going back down to say that yet again, the Minister with responsibility for local government in a tripartite coalition cannot confirm to councillors the date. We know it is within three days but with all due respect, this is unsatisfactory. Again, I know it is not the Minister of State's portfolio but could she use her influence in the Government as a member of the Green Party with a very committed Minister of State with responsibility for local government reform so that we can try to bring this date forward a bit? This is all I can ask.