Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in view of population changes, he will review local authority boundaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30976/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The current local electoral areas of each county council derive from the Electoral Area Boundary Committee Reports of 1998. The 2004 local elections took place on the basis of the existing local electoral areas. The next local elections are due to take place in 2009. Consideration can be given to reviewing local electoral areas in light of the final 2006 Census results when they become available and other relevant factors.

Local authorities, as part of the local government modernisation programme, have extensive capacity to innovate and adapt to changing circumstances and local demands, including those of economic and population growth. I intend to keep the position under review with the aim of ensuring good accessible service delivery for all communities and population centres.