I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time.

The Bill comes before the House as a consequential measure arising from the Local Government Provisional Order Confirmation Bill, 1965, which proposes to authorise a substantial extension of the municipal boundary of Cork. Having regard to the substantial increase in the area and population of the county borough which the boundary extension will bring about, this Bill proposes to increase by ten members the present membership of the county borough council. I hope that in this way it will be practicable to secure effective representation on the council for all sections of the population of the enlarged municipal area.

The council established by the Cork City Management Act, 1929, consisted of 21 members. At the time the Act was passed Cork county borough had a population of 78,490 and occupied an area of 2,685 acres. A boundary extension in 1955 added 835 acres and a population of 15,364. The Provisional Order which has now been submitted for confirmation will add to the county borough 6,278 acres—disregarding approximately 800 acres of tideway—and a population, on the basis of the 1961 Census, of 33,641 persons. If the Provisional Order dealing with this projected boundary extension is confirmed by the Oireachtas, the population of the enlarged county borough will be 111, 621 persons. This comprises 56,202 persons within the old 1929 boundary, 21,778 in the area added in 1955 and, as I have said, 33,641 persons in the areas now being added.

An increase from 21 to 30 members would be sufficient to preserve the ratio established by the 1929 Act between the population and the number of members of the Cork County Borough Council. In general, however, an uneven number of members—as in the case of the other county boroughs councils—is preferable. For this reason the Bill provides for 31 members, a membership which would be justified by reference to the ratio of population to members in the case of Limerick and Waterford County Borough Councils.

I agree with the measure, which I think is a very sensible one, but I should like the Minister as soon as possible to indicate to the House the number of wards into which he will break up the city for the purposes of elections.

I agree with Deputy Barrett. I am sure the Minister appreciates that all Parties who go to make up the Cork Corporation, including, of course, his own, would appreciate having as soon as possible some indication of the division of the new city into wards to enable all Parties to face the forthcoming local elections. It is in everybody's interest and I am quite sure the Minister appreciates this. I urge him, with Deputy Barrett, to have the information made available as soon as possible.

I should like the Minister, when he is dividing up the new city into wards, to consider the area that is being taken in and see to it that it is divided into its own wards so that the people there can have proper representation and no gerrymandering. I am well aware that in a matter of this kind, when the issue comes to the Department of Local Government, it will be lights out. There is involved here an area whose people do not want to go into the city, people who have been brought in wrongly. Only last night the corporation decided to put the burden of repaying a sum of £100,000 for the relief of the city rates on those people who will be brought in.

On a point of order, and with all due respect to those who have spoken, it seems to me that the matters which have been discussed on this Bill are not properly within the scope of the Bill now before us.

There was a long discussion here on the Second Reading of the other Bill and Deputy Barrett introduced the question of the division of the new city into wards. I do not know whether this division will have to come before the House again or whether it will be arranged between the Department and the corporation. If it does not come before us again, now is the time when we, representing the rural area that is being dragged in, should see that they will at least get a voice that will be heard. We should ensure that they will not be amalgamated in slices into the city with one-third outside the boundary and two-thirds, the majority, inside.

I do not pretend to understand the position in Cork but this Bill is an Act to provide an extra number of members on the Cork City Council.

As a result of the increase in the population of Cork city, due to the added area, will there be a consequential reduction in the number of seats on the Cork County Council and are we to expect an enabling measure to that effect?

Straight off, it does not appear this situation will follow as a consequence. A reduction in county council membership does not seem to follow but that will be subject to confirmation when the final figures are available. I can only commend the Bill to the House. There is nothing I wish to say on it.

I am not asking for the Final Stages——

We cannot hear the Minister.

There is some mechanical facility that is supposed to help. If it is not on, I have not the means to put it on. I am not seeking the further Stages because this is interlinked with another matter which we have not yet concluded. I think that is the wiser course.

The Committee Stage has been disposed of. The Minister agrees?

Yes.

When does the Minister propose to take the Report Stage?

Subsequent to the passing of the Provisional Order Confirmation Bill.

Next Wednesday? The Minister can adjourn it then, if necessary.

Very well.