Local government is the beating heart of democracy. In July of last year, when replying to a question of mine, the Taoiseach confirmed that the abolition of town councils was a big mistake and that he was a great believer in restoring town councils. He said that many town councils had great visionary district councils in the past. In November of last year, the Taoiseach confirmed that it was an issue that was close to his heart, that he opposed the abolition of town and borough councils and that as a democrat, he believed in fundamental layers of democracy. Has the local government task force reported? Has the report been seen by the Minister? Will the report be published? Has the report gone to Cabinet? Will the Taoiseach confirm that, in line with his previous statements, borough and town councils will be re-established?

I applaud the Deputy's very precise and accurate recollection of what I said last year in respect of the-----

It is on the record.

Thank you, Deputy.

Absolutely, and I repeat and endorse everything I said. As I said at the time, the review has not been brought to Cabinet but it is complete. I would not hold my breath and have some disappointment with the review in terms of its lack of focus on urban councils. There is a focus on municipal area districts. We will examine it and bring it to the House for debate. I believe we need to look at some urban areas to begin the restoration of urban councils. That is a view I have but the system has a different view. We are elected to do what we believe is right. I think it was a mistake to abolish councils for a number of reasons. One reason was that they gave a cohesion and sense of community to given towns and allowed them to create a vision for the town. They also allowed people who wanted to make a contribution to their locality at a certain electoral level to do so.