John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 5, between lines 48 and 49, to insert the following:

"(4) In this section, 'population' means population as ascertained by the Central Statistics Office in the census report setting out the final result of the most recent census of population.".

As previously indicated on Second Stage, for the 2009 local elections population data from the 2006 census report is being used as the basis for determining the spending limits in county and city council electoral areas. To avoid ambiguity in future elections, the amendment will specify that the population data used in setting spending limits will be from the census report setting out the final result of the most recent census of population. A key factor which must be considered in setting expenditure limits is the diversity which exists throughout local government in Ireland in terms of the different type of local authority, the numbers of members elected in each area and the respective population figures for those areas.

Given that they are the primary units of local government, there is a case for treating county and city councils differently from borough and town councils. Differences in population, especially at the level of electoral area, suggest different spending limits should be set to reflect this situation. Data on expenditure of previous elections also points to higher spending in more populous areas. Having spending limits for county and city councils based on population is the most equitable way to proceed. However, to achieve consistency in the application of the spending limits in future, it is important that the scheme of limits takes account of the fact that shifts in population will occur. If the population of an area increases, it is important that allowance is made to revise the spending limits in that area where appropriate. To provide clarity, I specify in the amendment that the population used in determining the limits would be based on the final result of the most recent census of population. That is the most appropriate way of doing so.

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