Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will probably be a lone voice on this matter. I welcome Deputy Shane Cassells Private Members' Bill and do not question its bona fides in any shape or form as it is trying to improve the situation. Like many members of the committee, I served on a local authority for well over a decade. I was a member of the same local authority as Senator Victor Boyhan. While the area did not include a town council, I formed the view that local elected members did not have the powers that they should have had. I would prefer to focus on empowering them to do more rather than move back towards town councils.

I also formed the view that, as Senator Jennifer Murnane O'Connor mentioned, councillors were not paid enough. Being a councillor is a full-time position which warrants a full-time salary. I would prefer to have people and supports in that structure rather than dilute services. That is what the Bill would result in. I also believe it would bring us back to the duplication of services and bureaucracy which can delay the process, especially in the provision of housing. Numerous houses are being built in Greystones. I think it all depends on the part of a town or a county in which a person is living.

With regard to the Putting People First plan, it is still early days. I fully recognise that there are problems within it. When we go through a process, we have to put up our hands when something is not working and fix it. It is too early to move back towards town councils. We need to streamline the system further. I would see no problem in appointing a local authority official instead of a town councillor in particular towns. At least that would create a direct line of responsibility or point of contact, rather than adding another person or several people to the bureaucracy. The aim would be to provide for some direct contact with residents in the local areas affected.

My fear is there would be a duplication of services. It is not so much about the cost which would probably be met from local budgets. The problem is an additional burden would be placed on officials. It is like what happens in the HSE when people apply for grants; it all depends on the district in which a person is living, but invariably it comes from the same pot of money. I would prefer to see a streamlining of services and local councillors acting in a full-time capacity and being paid in a proper manner. That would reflect the powers they deserve to have. I would prefer to see that structure being strengthened to give them more powers rather than move back towards what would be a diluting of the system somewhat.

I am happy for the committee to discuss this issue further and tease it out. As I said, I do not doubt Deputy Shane Cassells' bona fides. As I was not a member of a town council, I am not speaking from experience. However, I was a member of a county council for 12 or 13 years. There were area committees and strategic policy groups that allowed members to specialise in particular areas. I was a member of the planning and housing committee. While we did not make decisions on budgetary measures, we outlined policy measures that should be taken by the county council. I would prefer to see direct lines of responsibility and direct points of contact rather than add more people to get answers.