Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the remuneration package the members of a group (details supplied) established to implement his decision for a unified county council in Tipperary, will receive for their services to this group; his views that the formation of this group is biased towards north Tipperary based on its formation; his further views that an independent chairman would be more appropriate; the reason it was necessary to employ two retired civil servants for this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29021/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I do not accept that membership of the Group is biased towards North Tipperary. The appointment of members was based, inter alia, on their specific working knowledge of local government in Tipperary, expertise in local government matters generally and extensive experience of public administration at a senior level. While the County Manager from North Tipperary County Council will act as Chair, the Group will operate in conjunction with an independent external evaluator who will assist in covering all aspects of the Group's mandate in an objective and effective way. Moreover, the inclusion of a member from outside the local authorities in question will further underpin the objectivity of the Group. There is no remuneration for members of the Group.