asked the Minister for the Environment if local government reform was part of the Fine Gael/Labour programme for Government.

The work which is at present in progress to bring about reform in the local government system is in accordance with a commitment made in the Joint Programme for Government 1981—1986

When will we see the Government's proposals for the reform of local government? When will they be published?

I read today that the Deputy was looking at this question of reform and might have proposals to put forward. As he will know, there is still a good deal of work to be done in this area although my predecessor did a great deal of work already. I hope that towards the middle or end of next year I will have proposals prepared.

I am aware that work on local government reform in the Department has been proceeding since 1971 but we have not seen any reform in all those years. It is difficult for the Opposition to accept the Government's real intent in this area until we see positive proposals put before Parliament or until we hear the Minister expounding on the type of changes he would like to see and on which he hopes to bring forward legislation. It is very difficult to accept the Government's intention to reform local government as a legitimate excuse for the postponement of the local elections in 1984.

That seems to be another question.

The Chair should not be too sensitive because I mentioned a sensitive political issue. The Minister is well capable of defending his own position without the Chair helping him.

It is the Chair's business to see that Question Time is conducted in an orderly manner, and that is the Chair's object.

The Deputy admits that his party have been as much responsible for these delays as anyone on this side of the House. He talked about a date in 1971. I have stated that this review will be carried out. I have stated the timetable for the review and the need to postpone the local elections to allow that review to be completed.

This is like one of Grimm's fairy tales.

We can then have the local elections on the basis of the reforms which will be introduced in the House, possibly in the autumn of this year.