11. To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions have taken place between his Department and representatives of local government on strengthening local democracy in Northern Ireland. (113222)

I meet elected representatives from local government on a regular basis to drive the implementation of the reform programme forward through a Taskforce which was established early last year. The decisions arising from the Review of Public Administration in relation to local government are designed to strengthen the role of local government in Northern Ireland and place it at the heart of local democracy.