asked the Minister for the Environment the terms of reference for consideration by the NESC in preparing a report on local authority financing; and when the report will be published.

5.

asked the Minister for the Environment who is involved in the detailed examination of the ways in which local finances might be further supplemented from local sources; and when the results of this examination will be published.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.

The terms of reference of the NESC project are as follows:

To examine and make recommendations on the system of financing local authorities in Ireland.

In the context of the terms of reference the report should consider, inter alia: (i) the current resources of and financial demands upon local authorities, with a view to defining their areas of financial responsibility and their relationship with central Government; (ii) the implications for autonomy of centrally determined national objectives. In examining the possibilities for reform of the system, due regard should be paid to the case for local financial autonomy. It is understood that the consultant's report has been completed and will be considered by the Council of NESC, at their meeting on 16 November with a view to its publication.

The examination of local financing is being carried out on the basis of work being done in my Department, taking account of relevant studies. The decision to introduce a farm tax as a source of local revenue is part of the restructuring decided on by the Government. Any further decisions that may be made in this direction as a result of the ongoing work will be announced in due course.

The Minister has not stated who was involved in the detailed examination.

I indicated that the NESC report is being taken by them and that my Department are involved in the detailed examination.

Just the officers in the Department? When will the report be published?

I said that the Council of the NESC would be considering it tomorrow and would then be in a position to publish their report.

Does the Minister expect the report within the next few weeks?

I am not aware of how long it will take after they consider the report.

Do they have to report by a certain date?

No, but when they conclude their considerations I do not imagine it will take very long after that.