Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1320: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has proposals to establish a town council in Ashbourne, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1071/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1363: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to the election of a directly elected mayor for each local authority in the country. [1871/08]

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 1407: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the Green Paper on Local Government Reform will be published; when he anticipates the completion of the White paper on Local Government Reform; and his views on whether new town councils will be established for election in June 2009. [2518/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1320, 1363 and 1407 together.

In accordance with the Programme for Government, my Department will be publishing the Green Paper on local government reform shortly. The Green Paper will examine a number of issues with the objective of making local government more transparent and responsive, and will set out options for reform in advance of a subsequent White Paper, which I intend to publish later in 2008. Issues to be considered in the Green Paper will include the provision of directly elected mayors and the establishment of town councils in those towns that have shown significant population growth in recent years. The Government Programme states that a directly elected Mayor for Dublin with executive powers will be introduced by 2011.