John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I published the Green Paper on local government, Stronger Local Democracy – Options for Change, in April 2008. This was followed by an extensive programme of national consultation for the purposes of informing the preparation of the White Paper on local government. This will set out policy on a wide range of local government issues and will be of great importance to the future of the local government system and its stakeholders.

The environment has altered considerably since April 2008, not least due to the severe economic downturn. Work on the White Paper has also had to have regard to the report of the Commission on Taxation, the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes and the renewed programme for Government. The approach to the White Paper is now under consideration by Government. A Cabinet committee has been established to finalise the major strategic issues to be included in the paper. While this may take some additional time, it is essential that we get the White Paper right, that it is grounded in today's challenges, contains appropriate ambition and is readily implementable.

However, I am continuing to take significant local government initiatives in the meantime. As announced in the budget, I established the local government efficiency review group in December to review the cost base, expenditure of and numbers employed in local authorities. Last week, I established the Limerick local government committee to prepare a report into the most appropriate arrangements for local government for the city and county of Limerick. Yesterday, I published the general scheme of the legislation to provide for the mayor for Dublin. The Government decision to introduce a directly elected mayor for Dublin in 2010, and the general scheme to provide for it, marks a first and significant step in implementing broader local government change. I anticipate that many of the policy decisions in the White Paper will require further legislation over the coming years.

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