The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, was called on yesterday to clarify the situation regarding the direct election of mayors and council chairpersons from next year.
The Labour Party spokesman on environment and local government, Mr Eamon Gilmore, asked the Minister to make a clear statement on whether the Local Government Reform Bill would include a provision allowing for the elections.
The Irish Times reported yesterday that the plan may be abandoned due to resistance by local authority managers who do not want their powers diluted.
The matter was on yesterday's Cabinet agenda but was not reached. Mr Gilmore raised it with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, in the Dail. The Taoiseach said the matter was still "before the Government".