asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals, if any, to delegate departmental powers so as to ensure that control of local affairs will be exercised by the various local authorities.

Various powers have been devolved to local authorities over the past number of years and consideration is given to further delegation wherever feasible and appropriate.

Are the Minister of State and his senior committed in principle to the decentralisation of further powers to local authorities?

The question of further delegation of powers to the local authorities would be a matter for consideration in the context of local government reorganisation.

Question No. 11.

Is consideration given at the moment to the delegation of powers to local authorities?

That is being considered. The Minister indicated this in the Dáil on 11 October last.

By whom is it being considered?

It will be considered by a task force on the reorganisation of the Department along the lines envisaged in the Devlin Report 1969. It was recently reconvened. It is expected that a report will be finalised within the next few months.

Not before the local elections?

No.

When had this task force previously met and when was it reconvened?

It was reconvened in October 1978.

When had it previously met?

I have not that information.