Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

The overall contribution made by my Department in supporting the local government system should be acknowledged. Of the €3.35 billion available to my Department in 2005, approximately €2.94 billion was transferred to local authorities. That is as it should be because local authorities must be funded on a structured basis. A reform which illustrates the way in which local authorities are rising to the challenge is the implementation of local government financial management systems and there are further significant improvements in other areas.

The essence of local government is its capacity to address local needs and circumstances. A well functioning local government system should be expected to reflect the diverse interests of local communities. This has been achieved through, for example, local social partnership structures and strategic policy committees, SPCs, which have introduced a modernisation programme for local government. Traditionally, local policy was brought forward by management and submitted to the council for endorsement but SPCs are seen as a way of enhancing local policy formulation whereby elected members and representatives of sectoral interests can bring forward initiatives. It is important that SPCs deliver on their full potential and, against this background, the IPA reviewed its operations in 2003 at my predecessor's request. The findings of that review, which centred on the key roles of the chairs and directors of service, are currently being implemented. Again, this demonstrates that local government can change to meet the demands of a dynamic society.

County and city development boards, CDBs, led by local government, have also been established in each county and city. These further co-ordinate delivery of all public services at local level by bringing together all the local players including public sector agencies, social partners, local government and local development bodies. Therefore, when we discuss local government, we should celebrate its success for democracy.