Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if regulations under the Local Government Act 2001 will be established by order to allow town councils to be established; if he is agreeable to meet with a community council (details supplied) to discuss this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5183/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Part 17 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that qualified electors of a town having a population of at least 7,500 as ascertained at the last preceding census and not having a town council may make a proposal for the establishment of such a council. Under the relevant provisions of the Act, a proposal to establish a town council is a matter for the local community in the first instance. Thereafter, a decision on such a proposal is a reserved function of the relevant county council, following a public consultation process. The proposal must then be submitted to the local government commission for preparation of a report and recommendations to the Minister. The establishment of a local government commission to enable the commencement of Part 17 is under consideration. I will be in touch shortly with the relevant community council in response to its request to meet.