Local government reform Bill
Mattie McGrath asks about the forthcoming local government reform Bill and the resulting uncertainty for councils and LEADER partnership funding; the Taoiseach says it must be enacted before year-end.
I know that, but many accidents will occur before then.
The other question is on the local government reform Bill, which contains many proposals to abandon and merge councils. The Leader partnership companies are now being denied all funding because everything is on hold until such time this so-called merger takes place or they are succumbed into the county councils.
Comment on this
The local government Bill will be a very extensive Bill. It will have to be enacted before the end of this year because of the local elections to be held next year.
Deputy Martin asked me about the number of sections of the Personal Insolvency Act that are in operation. It is a little like the time the late Noel Lemass asked my father, who was a Member at the time, how many seagulls flew over the Phoenix Park in 12 months.
Comment on this
I said I wanted to raise three items.