To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the reasons are for the postponement of the 2010 local council elections in Northern Ireland until 2011; and if he will make a statement. (260028)

The Northern Ireland Assembly recently passed legislation to reduce the number of councils in Northern Ireland from 26 to 11. This reduction is being implemented and it is planned that it will be in place by 2011. For this reason Parliament recently approved legislation to postpone the local elections previously scheduled for 2009 in Northern Ireland until 2011, so that the next local elections can be held under the new 11 council model.