Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will make changes to the local government system in advance of the 2014 local elections; if so, the changes he will make; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11655/11]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 350: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to devolve further powers to local government; if so, which powers and responsibilities; the date on which it will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11689/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 346 and 350 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 318 on today's Order Paper.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his intentions in relation to the establishment of a directly elected mayor for Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11656/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010 lapsed on the dissolution of the last Dáil. I made clear during the debates on the Bill that, while I was not opposed to the principle of a directly elected mayor, I have a number of concerns regarding the particular proposal and its timing. Accordingly, it is not proposed to have this Bill restored, but the matter can be looked at again ahead of the 2014 local elections in the context of a more effective, accountable and modernised local government system.