Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the under-representation of councillors in Fingal County in view of the increases in population particularly in Dublin 15 with over 92,000 population per the last census and only eight councillors; if he has proposals to increase the number of councillors; if he will appoint a commission to examine the issue and report on local authority representation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26707/07]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the relevant sections of the acts dealing with local authorities and the creation of additional council seats; if the relevant sections of the legislation are fully in force; if not, the sections of such legislation not in force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26708/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.

The last review of local electoral areas was carried out in 1998. I am at present considering the issues around a review of local electoral areas and I expect to be in a position to make a statement on the matter shortly. The number of elected members in each local authority is set out in section 21 and schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2001. Section 22 of the 2001 Act provides for the alteration of the number of members of a local authority. The operation of section 22 would require the establishment of the Local Government Commission, which would report on proposals to alter the number of elected members of a local authority in addition to having a number of other functions concerning local government organisational matters. Section 22 and part 11 of the 2001 Act, which provides for the Commission, have not been commenced to date.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a Green Paper on Local Government Reform in the coming months, which will examine a number of issues in relation to the organisation of Irish local government. A White Paper on Local Government Reform will then follow next year. I will give consideration to those parts of the Local Government Act 2001 which have not yet been commenced as part of this reform process.