Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We should have an early debate on the proposals for reform of local government. This serious task should be conducted in a non-partisan way. We need to tease out what the reform of local government entails - is it about economics, democracy or politics? We do not sit on local authorities, but we must consider how these proposals affect the people on the ground. There is a public perception of a creeping centralisation when it comes to the local democratic process and as a result accountability and responsibility suffers. We know from personal experience that the power of local pride is unique. We can see this at a time of achievement. We can see it at a time of challenge and also in the time of need. If we want to know how town councils are respected, we need only look at the turnout at election time, which is always exceptionally high. One of the main reasons is the accountability at local level.

I sat on Cashel town council for 18 years. I can remember the annual Estimates meeting. People were waiting outside to ask councillors to account for the striking of the rate. That is immediate accountability. The greater the level of centralisation, the more one dilutes the local input.

Another aspect is its historical significance. We have a charter in Cashel dating back several hundred years. History tells us that the charter for the town council was given on the bridge of Golden by King William. Whether we like King William is not the issue. It is vital that the ceremonial nature of the councils and the heritage that goes with it are kept intact. They will not be kept intact if this comes down to enlarging a county council and the removal of the local focus. We should give great thought to the impact of this reform in the context of tourism. We have seen time and again dignitaries coming to a town, meeting the mayor and the local council and getting a sense of stability and often an industry has been won for an area. The same applies to tourism which I have no doubt is one of our most important industries. The local council has been a vehicle for presenting it in the best fashion. I, therefore, repeat my question: is this about economics? Is it about democracy, or is it about politics?