Northern Ireland’s Executive has agreed plans to reorganise local government.
The 26 district councils created in 1972 are to be replaced with 11 new districts.
Belfast will remain as one council but other councils will be amalgamated.
Planning, rural development, housing, tourism and economic regeneration will be among the powers handed down to the ‘super-councils.’
The two Ulster Unionist ministers voted against the plans.
Sinn Féin originally favoured a seven council model as proposed by the former Northern Secretary Peter Hain.
They were involved in talks with the DUP in an attempt to make progress on the issue.
The party's Assembly group leader John O'Dowd said they now looked forward to agreeing the legislation.
Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister Arlene Foster said the reorganisation would allow new council areas to deliver important services to communities in an efficient and effective manner.
The SDLP's local government spokesperson, Tommy Gallagher, said the proposed 11 councils must have power-sharing and protection of minorities guaranteed in legislation.
The MLA for Fermanagh and south Tyrone said nationalists west of the Bann would be glad to see the end of the suggested seven council model.
Mr Gallagher described the seven council plan as a recipe for repartition which he said would have done nothing but perpetuate trapped minorities.
