Dáil debates

Wednesday, 14 November 2018

Local Government Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed)

 

8:35 pm

Photo of Margaret Murphy O'MahonyMargaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As a Cork county Deputy, I wish to state from the outset that the issue of the boundary changes for city and county councils needs to be resolved without delay. It has dragged on for long enough and, as the Minister of State will be all too well aware, we face local elections next May.

These represent delays on the preparations by incumbent and prospective candidates, which straddle several Cork constituencies and local electoral areas. While I understand the thinking behind the extension of the boundaries as it would allow the city to grow by attracting investment to a city on a European scale, this cannot disadvantage Cork county, and especially its peripheral areas in west Cork that I represent. This boundary change will result in large losses in revenue for the county. Adequate remedies must be put in place to counteract these losses. I do not want to see Cork South-West lose out from this Bill.

My colleague, Deputy Cassells, spoke of the concerns that we raised at our meeting with Cork County Council, so I will not repeat them.

The confidence and supply agreement clearly sets out a commitment to local government reform. However, it must be done properly and fairly. Phil Hogan's actions in 2013 put rural Ireland back many years. It was less a case of putting people first than putting people last. These decisions mean that public representatives who live and work in the heart of constituencies were made powerless in local politics. It was a big mistake which affected many towns in west Cork. I was a proud member of Bandon Town Council for ten years and know first-hand the work done by town councils. The bottom rung of local democracy was removed then. The situation was made worse by slashing the number of councillors. It will take many towns and villages years to recover from this. Were it not for the many voluntary groups and committees, many towns and villages would have fallen into rack and ruin. I commend the Trojan work done by these committees and applaud their volunteerism.

Fianna Fáil's proposal of a community council model would build on the work carried out by these volunteers. It would formally recognise the work they have been doing, give them credit for it and build on it to develop stronger communities. These changes must be implemented as soon as possible. Further procrastination will damage the progress of rural Ireland.

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