Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We went through a certain process in dealing with this matter. There are different views out there, and unlike Deputy Sherlock, I do not have people knocking on my door to ask where the town council has gone. That does not really happen. Perhaps it happens in some cases, but I am being genuine and telling the truth. I am not saying the Deputy is incorrect, but that there are different views out there. I am not getting the feedback the Deputy is getting, although I recognise that Deputy Cassells will also have very strong views on this matter as well and might get different feedback. We have to find a way of processing the different concerns that exist on different issues.

The reasons for restructuring local government in 2014 are still valid, and if town councils are re-established, the flaws and weaknesses that gave rise to their dissolution will return and would, in fact, be increased because it would be necessary to apply much wider boundaries in many towns and create authorities in new locations. In my county, for example, places such as Ashbourne, Dunboyne and Enfield did not have town councils. The only councils we had were those in Navan, Kells and Trim. It was not exactly a fair system. Those boundaries had to be changed, and that process took a long time in some cases. It was not perfect, and it is worth bearing that in mind. The change to municipal areas makes it much more effective. There also have been some benefits in terms of effectiveness and decision-making. I often felt that a twin approach was required, between the council area and the town council. Decisions were delayed, and in my experience, decisions delayed are often bad decisions. If we ever go back to the town council system that should be borne in mind, because the opportunity for nothing to happen then arises.

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