13 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his proposals to devolve additional functions to local authorities and to transfer functions between local authorities.

18 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his proposals to devolve additional functions to local authorities and to transfer functions between local authorities.

22 Mr. Crowley asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his proposals to devolve additional functions to local authorities and to transfer functions between local authorities.

63 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his proposals to devolve additional functions to local authorities and to transfer functions between local authorities.

64 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his proposals to devolve additional functions to local authorities and to transfer functions between local authorities.

90 Dr. Lee asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his proposals to devolve additional functions to local authorities and to transfer functions between local authorities.

194 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his proposals to devolve additional functions to local authorities and to transfer functions between local authorities.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 18, 22, 63, 64, 90 and 194 together.

The ministerial group established by the former Government to consider this matter had not completed their work when the present Government took office. A new ministerial committee was established last March with a view to formulating appropriate proposals on the question of devolution, in conjunction with that of sub-county local government structures.

The committee will have regard to the views of the various Ministers and Departments concerned regarding the scope for devolution of functions and will report to the Government as soon as possible. Proposals for devolution of functions from my Department to local authorities will shortly be presented to the committee. There are no proposals at present to transfer functions between local authorities pursuant to section 9 of the Local Government Act, 1991.