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

I will touch on some of the issues about which I spoke before Christmas.

Deputy Ó Cuív, among others spoke, about funding. It must be a year since we had our first meeting, with almost full attendance by Deputies from the constituencies of Galway West, Galway East and Roscommon-Galway, to discuss the issue of funding with senior officials. We were presented with a tabular statement, which was very interesting as it provided information on the finances in the past 20 years and a comparative analysis with the figures for other local authorities. There have obviously been some changes in that time, including the introduction of the local property tax, LPT, among others. However, it was quite clear that a gap had opened up 17, 18 or 19 years ago that had never been closed between Galway County Council and other local authorities. I am not sure the issue was pursued as much as it should have been by Galway County Council, but it has been in the past few years. Irrespective of questions about a merger, as I pointed out before Christmas, the issue of funding is absolutely critical for the county. We face a number of challenges which include those related to the coastline, offshore islands and the size of the county that give rise to a potential need for extra expenditure. I also pointed out that Galway city took in a huge amount in rates that in an amalgamated area would be distributed across the county. There is a large interdependence between Galway city and county. Many people live in the county but work in the city. It could be argued that where rates are being gathered in the city, the employees of the companies paying them who are living in the county do not get the benefit. These are the anomalies that need to be addressed. Irrespective of questions about merging the councils, the issue of funding is paramount.

I am aware, from the discussions on the Bill, that officially Fianna Fáil supported it for a long period, before deciding to change its mind. That was its right and I am sure pressure was brought to bear on the Deputies who represent Galway. That is democracy and it is the case that we do not have a majority. However, with the proposal for a merger came the promise of a sum of money for the county. What is the current status of that proposal? In December a budget was formed by Galway County Council based on the promise of funding.

I apologise if this matter was mentioned earlier, but is it still the Minister of State's intention to progress a new local government Bill in the autumn which will specifically provide for a merger in Galway? What does he plan to do between now and then in terms of cross-party engagement to get the views of Members from Galway and the population of Galway city and county? Is there a process? The Bill would be subject tjo scrutiny on Committee Stage. In advance of that happening, what level of engagement is the Minister of State advocating? I have had conversations with people in Galway city who, if a merger does not go ahead, still have a desire to see an extension of the boundaries. I have heard suggestions that places as far out as Barna and Moycullen and as far as the motorway boundary in Athenry should be brought within the city boundaries. I would have huge concerns about those suggestions, notwithstanding some of the positives that could accrue in the city if it were to happen. I can see why people in the city would like to take that route, but I would have grave concerns for people in the county in terms of the availability of funding. If a merger is not to go ahead because it does not have support of the House, as is clearly the case, is the extension of boundaries back on the cards? What form would it take? I would have concerns, if that is the route being proposed, owing to the effect on the availability of funding.

Plebiscites on the issue of directly elected mayors are planned for May to coincide with the local and European elections. It was suggested people in Galway city and county would be asked for their views on the issue. What would happen if the people in one of the two local authority areas said they were interested and people in the other said they were not? As things stands, the merger is not going ahead. Will the Minister of State now decide not to hold a plebiscite on the issue in Galway city and county in May?

Other anomalies have been pointed to also. There has been agreement on the Galway city ring road project, on which the county council is taking the lead on behalf of the two councils. Businesses in the east of the city, in Parkmore, for example, which skirt the boundary between the city and county are being charged rates for the parts of their premises in the county and the city, which is causing complications. Concern has also been expressed that, while some services are shared between the city and county, for example, the fire service and library services, the city pays recompense for the services it receives from the county. It does not, however, have a say in how they are delivered.

While many of us have spoken about shared services being the way forward, the idea may not be ideal in all circumstances.

As I have indicated before, at this stage my preference is for a strong unified local authority serving a population of 250,000 and that is growing. It would have the critical mass to be top of the pile after the local authorities in Dublin and perhaps Cork in terms of its weight. Given that there has been so much interaction and engagement between city and county, it makes perfect sense to consider the opportunities the merger would allow in terms of a positive redistribution of funding. I realise the concern is that the effect would be the opposite and that the county would suffer, yet I believe the opportunities for the city and county would be greater.

Another issue is the strength of municipal districts. As discussed, Galway city would have a municipal district in a unified authority. The districts in Dublin City Council have 63 councillors, as I understand it, and there are five areas. They meet monthly or more often and there is a less frequent plenary meeting of the full council. The concern is that it would be a large and unruly or unwieldy council that would be unable to make decisions. However, I believe making decisions and conferring powers at municipal level with a proper budget would be a positive step for municipal areas in a unified local authority. That is what has been proposed by the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

I have several concerns. Predominant at this stage are the questions of where the plans are and where we are going from now. Will plans be submitted for an expansion of the city boundaries? What impact could this have on the county? What is the basis of shared services? Is the Minister of State now proposing to move forward on that line also?

Some genuine concern was expressed that the decision to enact the merger was included at the end of a larger Bill. I share this concern. It was not ideal. I can understand the rationale because the Bill was related to provisions for a chief executive, but it was commented on that this was not ideal. A stand-alone Bill for Galway, whether it was voted down or otherwise, would have been more ideal in placing the entire focus on our second largest geographical area and in having a full and proper discussion on the opportunities and threats a merger would bring. In that way we could have brought the idea to the people of Galway and hear their views the length and breadth of the county. In that way we could also have heard the stories and concerns about population decline. Some believe this will isolate them further. The counter-argument highlights the greater funding opportunities an amalgamated authority would provide and how there would be more resources to be spread around. I look forward to hearing some of the replies to these questions.

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