A move paving the way for the creation of seven ‘super councils' in Northern Ireland was backed by peers last week.

Despite claims that the new authorities – due to become operational in 2009 – would be too remote from the voters, the Local Government (Boundaries) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, was agreed without a vote. Northern Ireland minister, Lord Rooker, insisted the changes would strengthen local government. He said: ‘The purpose of this order is to set the context for a review of local government boundaries in Northern Ireland. ‘It will enable the number of local government districts to be reduced from 26 to seven.'