asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider the setting up of an independent commission to examine the feasibility of merging Cork Corporation and Cork County Council.

I would refer the Deputy to the discussion document on local government reorganisation, a copy of which has been circulated to each Member of the House. As indicated in paragraph 14 of the document, I consider a merger as a solution to be too extreme and I propose instead to investigate various ways in which better co-ordination may be achieved. Indeed this whole question of co-ordination in the Cork area is under active consideration in my Department and has been the subject of recent correspondence and discussions with Cork Corporation and Cork County Council.

Is the Minister aware that a joint committee of the two authorities met on a number of occasions and failed to agree? Would the Minister now agree that it is important that the people living in both areas should be given an opportunity to express their views on an amalgamation in the interests of both the city and county of Cork.

On the 24th December, 1973——

I am terribly interested in this. I agree with the Minister's view on this.

We cannot debate this matter.

I agree with the Ceann Comhairle that it should not be debated.

The only comment I have to make is that it would be very wise for me not to intervene in a row between two Cork Deputies in the House.

I think the Minister was interrupted when making his reply. Would he give me the reply now to the supplementary question I asked?

It is a simple one. On 24th December, 1973, a letter issued to both local authorities suggesting that they should meet to consider the various ways of achieving co-ordination. I had discussions with representatives of Cork County Council and earlier with Cork Corporation and I am not as pessimistic as Deputy Wyse. I believe there is a way of settling the matter.

Is the Minister now depriving the people of Cork city and county of an opportunity of expressing their views on an amalgamation?

How?

I am asking the Minister to set up a neutral board of investigation for the purpose of examining the situation. So far only members of both local authorities had their say. In the interests of people in both the city and county the Minister should set up an investigation.

I am aware that the elected representatives of the two bodies should discuss the matter. From discussions I believe that they can reach agreement.