Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht seo faoi rialtas áitiúil i gContae na Gaillimhe agus i gcathair na Gaillimhe, a bhaineann go háirithe leis an teorainn idir Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe agus Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe. I welcome this debate. We have often discussed the need for strong regional balance in the country and the majority of us agree that the west coast has to develop further in comparison to the east, the capital city and its hinterland, in terms of quality of life and affordability, even for people living in Dublin. As a Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, I was a strong supporter of the Atlantic economic corridor and the potential along the west coast from Derry, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Mayo and Roscommon down through Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry. A strong Galway, like a strong Cork, Limerick and Sligo, is in everybody's interest.

What we have at present is a strong Galway city. There is no doubt about that. Many colleagues who visit the city talk about the vibrancy, activity and what is happening in terms of culture, night life, sport and so forth. Even during the downturn Galway city did well. There is a strong hinterland around Galway city. My area of Moycullen, Barna, Oranmore and Claregalway are also doing well because many of the people who live in that hinterland work in Galway city. There is already an interconnection between the city and county, with people living in Moycullen but working in National University of Ireland Galway, NUIG, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, GMIT, hospitals or foreign direct investment industries.

A number of options were considered by the committee, including an expansion of the city boundary. I have always been fearful of this. I listened to Deputies talk about the great history of Galway city. Of course there is that history, but we must remember that the present structures came into being in the 1980s. They were in abeyance for a period of time and came back in 1985 under a local government Act at the time. With regard to the talk about an extension of the city boundary, it might be quite simple in some areas. For example, in Barna there is just the Barna Woods between Barna and the city. In other areas it would be much more difficult.

My concern about the city expansion is the impact it would have on the rates base of the county. Deputy Kelleher mentioned that with regard to Cork. In 1985, when it was done previously and there was an expansion of the city boundary, there was a compensation mechanism. That has come under the spotlight of some of the city councillors to a degree recently. They cannot believe compensation is still being paid since 1985 and they question the merit of it, but it is very important for rebalancing. Not only is one losing the businesses that were there when the boundary extended, one is also losing the potential of further businesses based on the lands that were also acquired. Sometimes I joke with my city colleagues who are against expansion, although it is not a joking matter, by telling them they do not have enough land to bury the dead and must come to the county to try to find a graveyard. There are real issues between the city and county, but the rates base is of particular concern.

I have often heard Deputies compare Galway to Mayo and Clare. Mayo has at least three strong towns, Westport, Castlebar and Ballina, which have considerable rates bases. Clare has a strong town in Ennis with a strong rates base. That helps the county base in those counties. Galway has a very strong rates base in the city, which means extra revenue for the city council at the expense of the county.

There are other towns, such Moycullen, Barna, Oranmore, Claregalway, Tuam, Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Clifden but the potential we are losing in Galway city has an impact on the county. I hear people talking about the impact on peripheral areas but in a unified area where there would be a stronger rates base and potential, there would be more money to be spent on peripheral areas of a county.

It was stated that 99% of local representatives in Galway are against this but I do not agree. Many councillors have indicated support or that they are at least open to consideration of this amalgamation, although there is the important caveat that has been discussed regarding funding. Currently, funding for Galway county is below average and it has been below average for at least 20 years. Any change needs to be backed up with funding and intent would be best demonstrated by providing that increased funding now, prior to amalgamation. In fairness to the local authority members, when they raised the local property tax for 2017, they decided not to do it for 2018 as they did not feel rewarded by central government. It is an issue that has been discussed with the Minister of State and officials.

There is existing co-operation between city and county, including libraries and fire services, and there is very easy potential to be realised on roads and the arts. These include the Galway city ring road, which would be a joint effort between the councils, although there is agreement that it is being led by the county council. The sewerage system on Mutton Island is serving some of the county as well in Barna and Oranmore, where there are connections. I have mentioned funding and we need to get it to at least the average and, ideally, above average. We must ensure in any amalgamation, if it happens, that there would be stronger municipal districts with power and a set budget. In an amalgamation, there should be a dispersal of funding to the peripheral areas as well.

We must ask why an amalgamation would be considered. The main advantage of an amalgamated council is that a critical population and strength would emerge for Galway. It would punch above its weight in funding and investment. We have done well with foreign direct investment but having what would be one of the largest local authorities in the country could only be advantageous to us. This is again with the caveat that additional funding would be generated and disbursed on a regional basis, which is a requirement.

Many people have spoken about the dispersal of councillors in any new system. Councillors would be elected based on population, with the greater populations in the city or areas around the city. That is a concern and I am not sure how it can be addressed; it is a concern even within the county as it is with respect to boundaries. Even with the most recent review, there was a large area from Callownamuck and Rosscahill all the way across to Oughterard, Camus, Rosmuc, Carraroe, Kilkieran, Clifden and Deputy Ó Cuív's area in Cornamona, Clonbur, Cong and Inishbofin. It is a huge geographical area represented by four councillors. That is an issue. I do not know whether an amalgamation will expedite a resolution to this imbalance. Could one argue that with the strength of the city and county together - their revenues and potential - there could be better redistribution following the amalgamation?

The Bill before us is predominantly about Cork but addresses the issue of a new chief executive. The existing set-up of having an acting county manager for a number of years in Galway is not ideal for the individual in question or in terms of certainty for the county. If the legislation is approved by the Dáil and Seanad, subject to Members' wishes, I ask that the Minister of State ensure that certainty is provided and that these changes take place. Everything I say comes with funding in mind, as it is very important for any local authority. Galway has done poorly for a number of years now in respect of funding. I ask that this be put to the top of the list in considering amalgamated local authorities. I also ask for intent to be shown before this happens by looking at funding of Galway County Council in particular, especially funding distribution. Galway is such a large area, with a big coast and offshore islands, so there are costs associated with infrastructure in those areas. I ask that the model for the distribution of the local property tax and other sources of funding be examined. From the figures I have seen, it seems that the funding process is not advantageous for Galway county. It is in need of modernisation and bringing it in line with where Galway county is.

See this speech in context