Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, following the publication of the Green Paper on Local Government, it is intended to publish a white paper, as envisaged in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27588/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I published the Green Paper, Stronger Local Democracy — Options for Change on 22 April 2008. The Green Paper presents a set of options which share a common theme of strengthening local democratic leadership. For example, Stronger Local Democracy proposes a Regional Mayor for Dublin to meet the strategic challenges the city faces. The Paper also suggests that local leadership, accountability and connection with the citizen would be achieved through the provision of directly elected mayors with key powers of initiative in other areas. A suite of further proposals in relation to issues such as town government, participative democracy, regional governance, and service delivery are also included in the Green Paper.

Stronger Local Democracy represents the initial phase of a transparent, inclusive policy formulation process. The purpose is not to arrive at a single solution, but to present options for further consideration. Copies of Stronger Local Democracy have been sent to all members of the Oireachtas.

My Department is conducting a public consultation process to inform the drafting of the White Paper, which I hope to finalise by year end. I look forward to receiving the views of all concerned. I have also recently concluded a series of 6 regional seminars on the Green Paper, held over June and early July to gather as full a range of perspectives as possible. Details on how to contribute to the consultation process, which will remain open until 31 July, are available on my Department's website.