19 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment the dates for the publication of the reports on aspects of local government being prepared under the aegis of his Department. [6775/96]

20 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for the Environment the proposed date of the publication of the report of the Local Government Reorganisation Commission. [6629/96]

31 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment whether he has received an interim report from KPMG management consultants on their commissioned study of local government financing. [6635/96]

33 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment when the White Paper on local authority financing will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19437/96]

47 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment the terms and conditions of the contract given to KPMG management consultants in order to undertake the study on local government financing. [6634/96]

56 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for the Environment whether he has received the report from the Town Government Reorganisation Commission which was due on 19 January 1996; the consultants appointed by him to examine and make recommendations on the financing of local government; and when he proposes to publish these reports. [3373/96]

65 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment the proposed date of the publication of the report on local government financing. [6633/96]

72 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for the Environment whether he has received any interim reports from the Local Government Reorganisation Commission. [6630/96]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 20, 31, 33, 47, 56, 65 and 72 together.

I expect to receive within the next week the report of the commission examining town local government, incorporating an earlier interim report. I will be making the report widely available as soon as possible following consideration of its proposals.

The study on local government financing is being undertaken in two stages. I received a report from the consultants on 21 February which, among other things, pointed to a need for further analysis of the future expenditure requirements of local authorities. After brief consideration of the matter, I extended the stage 1 contract on 15 March to enable the consultants to carry out, over a period of no more than four weeks, further work on the projected future expenditure needs. The final stage I report will incorporate this analysis and I will be making it widely available as soon as possible after its completion. It is my intention that stage 2 of the study will commence without delay after the extended stage 1 contract is completed.

The terms and conditions for the finance study were set out in the Request for Proposals issued by my Department in April 1995, copies of which are in the Oireachtas Library. The terms of reference of stage 1 were set out in the reply to Question No. 89 on 7 March 1996. The overall cost of stage 1 is now expected to be about £90,000.

I intend to address the question of local government reform, including finance, in a comprehensive manner by way of a policy document towards the end of the year. That document will draw on the work of the various reviews currently under way.

Will the Minister guarantee that the White Paper will be published before the end of the year?

My initial ambition was to publish it by the middle of this year but that will not be possible. It has taken longer than anticipated to carry out the analysis and to compile the financial data. I am anxious that we have a good basis for discussion. I am committed to local Government reform. If we are to sustain local government in the future we need to substantially change the funding arrangement and the powers and functions of local government must be changed. It would be very costly for local authorities, as currently constituted, to maintain the proposed infrastructure in terms of water supply, roads and sewage treatment plants. I am grateful for the positive response I received from Deputies Dempsey and Quill and their party leaders at the special committee. I want an inclusive debate covering all options so that we can make a good rather than a political decision on the future of local government.

Will the Minister confirm that property tax will be used to finance local authorities?

I have not considered anything as yet because I have not received the report. I have asked for an open agenda from the consultants in the terms of reference. They will outline options which I want debated in an open and realistic manner. I do not have views on the matter at present.

Did the Minister campaign in Dublin West?