Have discussions taken place with the bodies representing the staffs of the local authorities in regard to the fundamental changes which are proposed in the Building on Reality programme and mentioned in recent newspaper articles and speeches by members of the Government.

No discussions have taken place with staff or other members of local authorities prior to a decision being taken by the Government on the proposals for reorganisation.

Does the Minister recognise that if it is proposed to introduce four county boroughs in the Dublin area it will involve massive reorganisation of the administration of the local authority structure in Dublin which will have serious repercussions for the staffs operating the administration of the local authorities in those areas at present? It is very remiss of the Minister and his staff not to have entered into some discussions with the city and county manager and the bodies representing the staff——

Presumably this matter will come before the House in some form or another.

I cannot presume anything.

I agree that discussions will have to take place when decisions are made but, until the Government have made decisions regarding the number of local authorities which will be created in the plan to reorganise local government, discussions cannot take place.