I welcome recent comments in this Chamber by the Taoiseach in which he acknowledged that the abolition of town councils was a huge mistake. My home town of Clonmel was one of five former boroughs established by royal charter in 1608. It was self-governing for more than 400 years and that 400 years of history was wiped out by pen in 2014. I am conscious of the consequences for those representing a region in Spain who flirted with independence recently. I make a similar call for independence for Clonmel - independence from Tipperary County Council and financial independence from the power base that is Nenagh. When the local democracy task force report comes before Cabinet, will the Minister be a strong voice for the restoration of town councils above a certain population threshold, in particular, the restoration of borough status for those five towns, including Clonmel?

I commend and acknowledge the role of town councils. We had some in my constituency in Meath. I have worked with councillors since then who perhaps share the same view as the Deputy and would like to see things resumed as they were. I understand the local democracy task force is due to make recommendations or findings on this matter soon. When we are presented with those findings, I will be happy to engage with colleagues to see what is the best way forward.