Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

These amendments are reflective of the recent discussion we had about how people at community level would participate in the new local government mechanisms. This amendment replaces section 127 of the 2001 Act with a new section providing for extensive and diverse input by local communities in the decision-making processes at local government level. The new section provides that local authorities should take all appropriate steps to consult with and promote effective participation of local communities in local government. One of the principal provisions do to this will be the adoption of by each local authority of a framework for public participation in local government, which will set out the mechanism by which citizens and communities will be encouraged and supported to participate in the decision-making processes of the authority.

Seanad amendment No. 97 deletes an amendment that had been made to the text of section 127 of the principal Act. These changes are being incorporated into the new text of amendment No. 90.

Seanad amendment No. 123 is an associated amendment providing for the new service function - in other words, the adoption of a framework of public participation in local government - to be listed in Part 3 of Schedule 3 as a reserve function of the elected council. I hope that gets over the concerns expressed by Deputies Cowen and Murphy earlier that people feel excluded because they are currently not included in the Schedule. This provision resolves that issue.

The existing arrangements to promote citizen and community engagement with local government have generally not proved satisfactory or effective. I am satisfied the amendments will give scope to local authorities to develop arrangements to enable them to build more effective and inclusive relationships with all sections of society and ensure proper consultation and participation as part of the overall reform to be at the heart of our local government system. At the end of the day, the democratically elected members of the local authority will make the final decisions. These amendments refer to the level of participation and consultation required before such decisions are made.

I am very anxious that people understand that the democratically elected local representatives are the people who will make the final decisions. I am also aware that mechanisms to facilitate greater public engagement, such as digital media, are under consideration in other countries, and we will be looking at these developments. The Fix Your Street initiative, which started out in south Dublin and which is being extended to many local authorities, is a very practical example of where the new digital media can be used and is an approach that is finding favour with many local authorities across a number of areas of activity.

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