Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, I thank Deputy Cowen for introducing this Bill. Many towns in my constituency, including Mountmellick, Abbeyleix, Portarlington in particular and Mountrath, are struggling despite the best efforts of local people. My concern about the Deputy's proposals for the establishment of another structure is that this structure will become part of the problem, in that it will be just another talking shop. I make this point on foot of my experience as a town and county councillor, as all Members will have seen many such committees and forums being established, each one of which claimed to be the solution to problems. Unfortunately, however, many of them wind up simply being talking shops. The reason is they do not have any real powers to make the requisite changes. The Minister has addressed this but the central problem is the issue of local government. If one looks at this issue honestly, consecutive Governments of all hues have continued to suck the oxygen from it. There now is an opportunity to breathe life back into local government and Deputy Cowen's Bill is timely, in that it highlights a number of problems that must be addressed by local government.

It is necessary to combat the blight of empty commercial premises and to use the current and new structures and, more importantly, to devolve power downwards from central government and even out from county councils to the new municipal districts, which must be made to work. While Sinn Féin is not happy with all the proposals in this regard, the party welcomes reform and seeks to ensure this new unit be made work and that real powers are devolved to it. While many of the aims of the Bill already are in the gift of local government, they require responsibility to be devolved to the new municipal districts. For example, in the case of the promotion of start-up businesses where there are empty shops, local authorities can and should be allowed to take initiatives, which can include the reduction of rates. While local authorities can reduce the overall rate by 1%, 2% or 3% and some have done that, a key point is that local authorities and the new municipal districts in particular must be given the power to make decisions for a certain village or town or parts thereof. For example, there may be a Bridge Street and a Church Street in a particular town and in partnership with local residents and businesses, for certain reasons one may decide to reduce rates in that particular area for a period. The same is true in respect of start-up businesses. I made such a proposal a number of years ago at a town council meeting and was almost devoured for having the cheek to propose it but many people now see this must happen.

The prioritisation of town centre capital developments and prioritising for spending already is within the gift of local authorities. The Bill has the aim of shifting power away from the county manager to councillors. Local councillors must be in the driving seat to a greater extent with regard to their ability to prioritise such spending. In theory, they have that power but the practice can be somewhat different. Similarly, parking charges are within the gift of local councillors and in many towns, these charges are being reviewed and positive changes are being brought about. As for the question of crime and low-level antisocial activity, it requires engagement with the Garda, council management and most importantly, the engagement of local residents and local councillors. It is my firm view that this can be improved and while joint policing committees, JPCs, are a welcome development, they are consultative and those Members who take the trouble to attend them will be aware they can be mere talking shops. Instead, they should be modelled on the district partnership model in the North. While I admit it is not perfect either and is not everything I would wish it to be, it certainly has a lot more power. For example, it has the power to make plans, has powers of oversight and can ensure the police are held to account. It also ensures such strong partnership, because there must be a strong partnership role between police, local authorities and local residents. On cultural festivals, while they are happening, there must be more of it. Obviously, it is of huge importance to local towns and local commercial activity. In my native county, Laois County Council has been very much to the fore in promoting cultural activities and local events. It has held some major events this year that even have attracted international attention.

The issue of local government reform must be taken on board. It is not fit for purpose at present and it is necessary to try to turn around the position that has arisen in recent years whereby more and more powers have been taken away from it. Powers must be brought back in respect of planning and housing. The latter have been taken away by stealth because housing has moved to an increasing extent to the private and voluntary sectors. Powers also have been taken away in respect of transport, roads and waste management and now in respect of water. The Local Government Bill does not do enough to address this and may not do anything at all to do so but these must be the reserved powers of councillors. In the case of the arts to which I referred earlier, some councils are active in the promotion of culture and the Irish language. This must be brought more to the fore and can provide an economic benefit to a local area. Initiatives should be put in place to use empty properties for cultural activities and perhaps one could introduce zero, or close to zero rates for a period. There is a considerable role for local authorities in this regard.

I wish to address the need to have people living in town centres. If one thinks of any of the towns I mentioned earlier, and in many towns nationwide, people used to live in town centres. They lived over shops and over their businesses. Congestion was mentioned earlier and while time does not allow me to go into it, I can give two good examples. One family in Portlaoise lives over its business while another family travels 14 miles each day to its business with the associated need for the crèche, all the commuting and having two cars on the road. However, the family that lives over its business walked its children to school. The children in that family now are teenagers and walk themselves to school, which is around the corner. Moreover, the car is only taken out perhaps once a month. I often consider this to be an example of the reason people must be brought back to live in the towns. Another reason is to bring life back to town centres. If people do not live in an area, it will not be a living area. If one visits other countries, one will see businesses with apartments and residential areas overhead. We must get back to doing that to move forward. We must get people back living in town centres. I have addressed the issue of antisocial activity, which must be central to making sure people feel safe in town centres and there must be a close partnership between the community and policing.

Out-of-town developments are a huge issue that must be addressed. Huge warehouse-type shopping centres have been located on the outskirts of towns, to which people drive and local authorities must have the power to curtail this in future. Councillors must have the power to change the rating system to ensure that those large multiples are paying the appropriate rates to compensate for the damage that is being done. Huge damage is being done to the existing infrastructure and moreover, additional infrastructure must be provided. I also wish to highlight the Government's target of having 50% of foreign direct investment take place outside Cork and Dublin. Statistics demonstrate this is not happening but it must begin to happen because in many of the aforementioned towns, including Portlaoise, business spaces belonging to the IDA lie empty and the target is not being achieved. However, such investment is needed to keep people in those areas, to keep them working and to have money circulating in the local economy, which is based around the town centre.

The key to addressing economic recovery is to have growth at all levels and local government must play a lead role, in conjunction with the Government, in promoting this. Local government should adopt and implement plans for economic development. Local authorities should provide incubation space and start-up grants for local businesses where appropriate. Empty buildings and empty sites can be used to provide some of that incubation space. In addition, action must be taken regarding the issue of upward-only rents, which has not been addressed. While the Government has stated there is a constitutional issue in this regard, if a referendum is necessary, it should be held. It is an issue that must be addressed to change the Constitution.

There is also the issue of a rates reduction. In respect of start-up businesses and shop front improvements there should be a rates reduction for one to three years. The key to addressing the issue is reform of local government and partnership with local government and local communities. Instead of having formal town teams funded by the taxpayer we can have voluntary teams that do not have to be funded by the taxpayer. We need strong local government that gives local councillors the discretion and the wriggle room to do what is needed to keep town centres alive.

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