James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this opportunity to speak on Second Stage of the Local Government Bill 2013. This is an historic day for Ireland and her people as we exit the bailout programme. This Bill is the most radical reform of local government in over a century and it provides for a major change to the functions of local authorities, structures, funding and governance to ensure that local councils deliver better services for citizens.

In October 2012 the Government published the action programme entitled Putting People First which outlined a range of reforms of local government which will be implemented under the four categories of reform of the structures; reform of funding accountability and governance arrangements; local government involvement in economic development and job creation - job creation is badly needed and I have thought for a long time that local authorities should have a major role in this area; and reforms to ensure efficiency in service delivery. There is often duplication and waste in services and the Bill will streamline the provision of services.

The purpose of the Bill is to give legislative effect to proposals set out in Putting People First. This legislation boils down to the policy issue of addressing weaknesses in local government. The Local Government Act 2001, defines county and city as the primary units of local government and the cornerstone of the fresh local democratic system. There was a view on this side of the House that local authorities are well positioned to boost economic recovery in their respective communities. This Government has established local enterprise offices within county councils to provide a resource for small business-owners looking to establish or expand enterprises at local level. I have always recommended emphatically that the fullest range of local services should be assigned to the county councils as they are ideally placed for further devolution of functions from central Government.

The functions are more restricted than in most democratic states in Europe and the world. The structures have failed to keep pace with the changing needs of communities. Councils have very few revenue-raising powers which curtails their responsibility and powers. I served on a council for 18 to 19 years. Councillors represent the voice of the people. They are elected by the people to serve and to implement the will of the people in their respective areas or counties. Their aim is to keep the best interest of the community at heart by making cost-effective and environmentally sound decisions.

One of the main provisions in the Bill is to reduce the number of local authorities from 114 to 31 with a reduction in the number of elected councillors from 1,627 to 949. This is the downside of this legislation. For example, the midlands and the west will lose out because they will have less clout and fewer representatives. For example, there will be a reduction in the number of councillors in the Longford from 39 to 18 and in Westmeath from 41 to 20. I would be concerned that this also reduces the voice of local people, leaving them unable to avail of the one-to-one service that a local councillor would provide. The capacity of the county council as the primary unit of local government is the cornerstone of Irish local democracy. Longford and Westmeath county councils are part of this essential framework which will give form and substance to our reformed local government.

The strength and independence of local government can be judged by the extent to which it is independently funded, rather than relying on transfers from central Government. Local government in Ireland has been historically weak in this respect. Councils in the west and midlands have a very low rates base and they will be at a disadvantage. I ask the Minister to address this problem. Dublin has a high rates base compared to Longford or Leitrim which derive only a small amount of their income from rates. This issue needs to be addressed.

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