Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House for what is an historic occasion given that this is the first Local Government Reform Bill in 100 years. That says everything about what we need to do with reform of local government. The Bill provides for radical reform in that it gives significant power back to councillors. It provides for the implementation of reforms detailed in Putting People First: Action Programme for Effective Local Government. When we think of putting people first we ask ourselves what do the people want. They want efficient services, cost effective services, good governance and fairness across the counties and the regions in respect of facilities. Given that the Bill is not by any means perfect, the Minister has indicated that he is willing to accept amendments during the course of the debate. Some of the desired amendments have already been mentioned by my colleagues who, like me, have been lobbied by the representative organisations of councillors who make some good points and suggestions for amendment. The most controversial issue is the elimination of town councils. I express the disappointment of the people of Ballinasloe, my home town, that the town council which was a rating authority will be abolished. Ballinasloe Town Council was very effective, having been involved in every economic aspect of the town for the past 100 years. There is concern that significant events and activities in which the town council has been involved for decades, such as the great October fair and festival, which bring huge economic benefit to the town, may mean that the county council and the municipal district may not have the same interest and involvement.

In recent weeks, Ballinasloe Town Council was in a position to dispense more than €1 million to various sport and community projects in the town of Ballinasloe from revenue earned by the landfill for the county which was located in the town for many years but has now closed. Due to the work of the town council and the excellent councillors who served for many years we can boast that we have, probably, the best sporting and recreational facilities in the country.

I pay tribute to all those who have served down through the years on all town councils throughout the country, not forgetting my colleagues in Tuam and Loughrea but, I have a special affinity to Ballinasloe as I live there but also because that town council was a rating authority. I had hoped and had made representations to the Minister that the rating authorities would survive the local government reform agenda. I also pay tribute to the officials who served with the town councils for their foresight and vision.

One of the positive aspects of the Local Government Reform Bill is that it gives significant powers to the elected members. I welcome the fact that councillors will have the power to vary the local property tax. This will provide maximum transparency and accountability for local authority spending. Some of us in this Chamber are old enough to remember 1977 when my colleagues on the opposite side from Fianna Fáil bought their way into Government by denuding all local authorities of funding. It abolished the rates and motor tax and is regretting it since.