I want to raise a matter of secondary legislation with the Taoiseach. Members will be aware that the report of the local government boundary commission was published last week. It was my understanding that the Government had made a commitment to the former boroughs that they would be stand-alone municipal districts. Subsequent to the publication of the plan I have had discussions with the Minister of State, Deputy John Paul Phelan, and he has confirmed to me my understanding that when the statutory instruments are drawn up the former boroughs will be constituted as stand-alone municipal districts. I ask the Taoiseach or the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government to confirm if that is the Government's intention.

I can confirm that is the intention with the statutory instruments when they come.