Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when the local government efficiency review group will report; if local government reform is postponed until after that group reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2495/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I have asked that the Local Government Efficiency Review Group complete its work and report to me by mid-2010. The Group's findings and recommendations will then be brought to Government to consider in the appropriate policy and financial contexts.

Significant changes to local government will continue in parallel with the work of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group. The Government's commitment to hold direct elections for the Mayor of Dublin this year is unchanged, and I will be bringing a draft scheme of a Bill to provide for the Dublin Mayor to Government shortly.

The Government decision to introduce a directly elected Mayor for Dublin in 2010, and the legislation to provide for it, marks a first step in implementing broader local government structural change, in line with the renewed Programme for Government. This will be more fully addressed in the Local Government White Paper, now at an advanced stage of preparation.