Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It will be May. Perhaps the Minister of State could confirm this in his response. How does the Minister of State envisage the legislative process? Before I move on to more of the focus points, how does the Minister of State see this committee involved in it? I am delighted he is here today to update us on the brief, but what role does he see for the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government? I am aware that local government and electoral reform come under the remit of the Minister of State, which is an important relationship. In the coming months, will he consider setting out a programme for engagement with us? It has to be a meaningful engagement for us and for the Minister of State. Will he please elaborate on that?

I welcome very much the Minister of State's comment that it will no longer be possible to alter a boundary between two local authorities without the consent of both authorities and, indeed, of the Oireachtas. This is a positive move because far too often in places such as Cork and Galway we have seen the heavy hand of the Custom House. I am not saying this is so, but there is a perception that the boys in the Custom House have decided to chop us all up. It is worth reiterating. It is a strong point that has come from the Minister of State's comments today. Will the Minister of State please confirm if 30 June 2018 is still the target date for the roll out of the boundaries? People are waiting and they want to know so they can make arrangements and consolidate their positions. This is understandable for politicians.

In his statement the Minister of State referred to A Programme for a Partnership Government. Clearly in the programme for Government there are a number of key objectives, including the Minister of State taking over this area, in which he will focus on some key deliverables. Will he speak about the issue of directly-elected mayors and cities? How will this happen, or not happen? Will there be plebiscites? Are we going to engage with people on the matter? I am against the idea of directly elected mayors. I do not necessarily see it as a good thing. There are a whole range of people who could stand who might have no experience or interest in local government and who could become popularity contestants for mayor. While I would not say it was good, I have a fairly regular and positive relationship with the council managers and the chief executives and I get the distinct impression from them that they are against the idea also. There is a problem with that. We need to sit down with the chief executives and councils and see what is best for us. It should not be the case that just because other places in the EU have directly elected mayors then we should have them too. Would it work here? The Irish local government system is unique in Europe. The system here is very different in its connectivity. I would caution against the idea of directly elected mayors. If the Minister of State decides to proceed with the idea, it would be important to look at the issue of plebiscites. How would the consultation happen? We had an outcry over the four local authorities in Dublin some years ago.

On the devolution of new powers to local authorities, it is all great talk. Before I came here, there was much talk about the great things to be done, such as devolving the powers, but we have become even more centralised. One of the greatest tasks and challenges for the Minister of State is to work on how we can devolve more powers from central government to local government. With that power, however, comes responsibility. Will the Minister of State talk to us about that? I fully agree with his comments on reducing the size of electoral areas.

I will conclude on a matter on which I have battled for a long time. The Department strategy says that there will be a review, involving consultation with the AILG and LAMA, of the supports provided to councillors to enable them to do their important work. The Minister of State knows where I am going with this; I want to talk about remuneration. For those who do not know, directly elected sitting county and city councillors receive €16,500 per year for what is effectively a seven day working week. A councillor is part parish priest, part social worker, part counsellor and a whole lot of other things besides.