Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Disraeli decided to open it up completely. Punch magazine produced a cartoon of Mr. Disraeli jumping over Becher's Brook and called it the great leap forward. By the end of the century the Conservative Party had supplanted the Liberal Party, the great architects of reform whose club was the Reform Club, and got the middle ground, such that the Liberal Party almost went out of existence. It was a very clever act. I know it is not the intention of the present Minister to perform such a coup. However, it is a very significant development in the democratisation of local government to give more powers to the local authorities.

Historically in this State central government has had most of the powers.

There were valid historical reasons for this because at the time of the foundation of the State, there were competing authorities in local areas with two rates being struck in some authorities. Consequently, the central Government was obliged to take control.

However, it is time to open it up and to give more powers to the elected members. The Minister reiterated in his speech that the elected member would have more powers, such as in the appointment of the manager, now to be called the chief executive officer. Moreover, their role will not simply be to rubber-stamp but will be significant. The Minister also indicated his intention to introduce an amendment on Committee Stage to further strengthen that role and I welcome this. I seek a further amendment on Committee Stage in respect of the local community development committees. The Bill states the manager shall appoint or select all the members of that committee or shall appoint a high officer within the council to select the members of this important committee, which will replace the county development board. This is not reasonable because first, the elected members should be able to choose people from among the body of members to sit on that committee. In fact, all members should have a say in respect of that committee in one form or another, certainly as regards the ratification, if Members are to remain true to the premise that elected members in the local authorities are to be given greater power. I would welcome a response from the Minister in that regard.

In addition, I have discerned a feeling among council members that they would like to retain the choice of having a mayor of their authority. I ask the Minister to consider and respond to this issue as well. Many people have stated they are sorry to see the town councils go and so am I. I was chair of Dundalk Town Council and apart from being appointed chairman of the Geraldines football club in Haggardstown, which was the proudest day of my life, holding that office was also very significant in my life. Indeed, on being elected to Louth County Council in 1999, my aunt in England telephoned me to congratulate me on my election to the council. When I told her I had been elected to Louth County Council, she replied by stating I was not on the council - by which she meant Dundalk Town Council - but was on the county council. As the town councils are very important for the people of the towns, this constitutes a major change. While I believe the new municipal district groupings, councils or whatever they are called will go a long way toward sorting out this issue, I seek further definition of their powers and authorities.

This debate also offers an opportunity to pay tribute to all members of town councils down the years, who served and who continue to serve. Many of them will receive no opportunity to serve again, even if they so wished, because too many people seek too few positions this time. One must recognise their great contribution, which was mostly unpaid. It has only been in the last few years that councillors have been paid at all and this point must be made.

I also welcome the provision for increased training for councillors.

There should be increased training for Deputies and, God save us, perhaps a little bit of training for Senators.