Mr. Gerard Darcy:

I thank the committee and fellow county councillors for this opportunity to speak on behalf of Tipperary County Council about the future of local government.

Our local authorities are multipurpose bodies that are responsible for delivering 1,100 services to citizens at local level. They have experienced significant reform in recent years, impacting on the structures, functions, resources and organisation of local government systems, and they have continued to respond to the various challenges put before them.

The challenge of getting candidates for local elections is a major one in Tipperary. Indeed, it is our foremost challenge. The lack of interest in local politics among potential candidates can be attributed to a number of factors. First, running for office has become such a challenge, requiring significant time, commitment and resources, and can impact on people’s personal and professional life. Second, the role of the councillor is demanding, requiring councillors to be available to their constituents at all times, attend meetings, be on the phone and work collaboratively with other councillors. Third, the limited powers of local authorities can make it difficult for them to bring meaningful change to their communities, therefore discouraging potential candidates.

The true nature of the position, coupled with its part-time remuneration, presents a barrier for many individuals. The challenge is compounded by the reluctance of potential candidates to commit to a role that needs significant time and energy. This conflicts with their family life, jobs, businesses, farms and social lives. Moreover, the absence of interest from family members in continuing the tradition of serving as local councillors underscores the need for innovative approaches to rejuvenate engagement among the grassroots. In Tipperary, six councillors of long standing, including myself, will retire this year, yet not one of our family members will stand.

The under-representation of women and minority groups in local government poses a fundamental obstacle to achieving true democracy. Addressing this disparity requires proactive measures, fostering inclusivity, targeted recruitment efforts, mentorship programmes and policies promoting diversity within political institutions. The representative gender balance in Tipperary is approximately 22%. We have an active women’s caucus. The work of organisations such as Women for Election and See Her Elected in promoting women’s interest in local government is to be encouraged and acknowledged.

The power of local government is being impacted by over-reaching legislation and national policy documents. Local authorities in Tipperary must contend with external factors that influence their autonomy and efficiency. The perverse influence of over-reaching legislation and national policy documents restricts the discretion of elected members and undermines the ability of local government to address communities’ specific needs. An example of the centralised nature of local government systems can be seen in how the increased number of ministerial guidelines, especially concerning local political areas, is now the norm. To mitigate this issue, there is a pressing need for greater decentralisation of decision-making powers and a more collaborative approach between local and national authorities. In most other European countries, local authorities have far greater responsibility compared to Ireland and deliver a multitude of additional services in health, housing, education and so on.

Addressing online abuse, threats and harassment is the single biggest issue facing many elected members, with 72% of councillors being victims of threats, harassment or intimidation, 48% having considered leaving their roles and 60% having experienced threats online. We need to address these issues.

Regarding education and awareness campaigns, we need to develop social media policies that will enforce clear guidelines and we need to provide training for councillors who are sufferers of online abuse. We also need to strengthen the legal protections against harassment.

I am conscious of the time and am going as quickly as I can.