asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received an application from Limerick Corporation to extend the city boundary into part of County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

19.

asked the Minister for Local Government if he has received a petition from Limerick City Council for the extension of the borough boundary into County Limerick; and, if so, the action he proposes to take in the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.

On 27th May, 1974, I received an application from Limerick Corporation for a provisional order extending the city boundary into Counties Clare and Limerick. The legislation governing extensions of the boundary provides that after holding a public inquiry into the application and after considering any representations made by the county councils concerned in the application I may either make a provisional order giving effect to the extension with or without such modifications as I think proper or I may refuse the application. A provisional order does not have effect unless it is confirmed by an Act of the Oireachtas. In view of my statutory functions as outlined it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the application.

Could the Minister give me any further details of the application?

I have already said that, in view of my statutory functions, as outlined, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the application.

Can the Minister give me any indication when this inquiry will be held?

No, I could not.

Could I inform the Minister——

A question please.

In view of the recent White Paper the Minister issued on local government organisation might I ask him if he would consider delaying any decision on this until a decision is made on the reorganisation of local government?

I do not know whether Deputies Noonan and Daly are under the impression that this is something that is going to happen next week but I think they should have sufficient experience to know that this is a long drawn out affair——

Could the Minister say how long?

I could not. Actually nobody can say how long because the last one, dealing with Cork city, dragged on for years and there was nearly a revolt in the Fianna Fáil Party before it was finally passed in this House.

Could I inform the Minister that there is total opposition——

A question please.

Is the Minister aware that there is total opposition by members of Clare County Council to the acquisition of this extra territory by Limerick Corporation?

I received a deputation from Clare County Council about an electoral area. It was the unanimous view of the councillors, including Dáil Deputies, that I should not do something I proposed to do and, having decided that they were right, and having decided I would not, I realised that Deputy Daly would be asking me a question in the House as to why I had not done it.

May I ask the Minister why all the changes? Would he not agree that it would be better to leave things as they are? Are we not the greatest brains of all times?

Question No. 20.

I will have to abide by the will of this House.