Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 595: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Special Report on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes recommendation to merge local authorities and reduce the number from 34 to 22 is being considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7011/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The White Paper on Local Government will address a broad suite of local government issues, including in relation to the structure of local government. The approach to the White Paper is under consideration by Government. In addition, the Local Government Efficiency Review Group is currently examining the scope for enhanced efficiency in local government.

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 597: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to reform the current system of regional authorities and regional assemblies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7013/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The renewed Programme for Government, agreed in October 2009, commits to the provision of democratic leadership for regional authorities and to the strengthening of their strategic role across a range of functions, in addition to their realignment to reflect the National Spatial Strategy Gateways. The issues involved are being considered by Government in the context of current deliberations on the proposed White Paper on Local Government. It should also be noted that the Mayor for Dublin will have a strong strategic role across the Dublin Region.