Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will revert to the Senator about the Fianna Fáil policy.

Councillors will adopt a local strategy on economic matters and on community matters for the first time. This is the first time a statutory remit is given to the community sector so that it can have a structured relationship with local government. Service plans will be in place similar to the old health boards system which, in my view, was often criticised and much maligned. That system was replaced when Deputy Martin was Minister for Health. Eleven agencies were centralised without any loss of jobs and no efficiencies introduced. The budget doubled over the following 15 years and now we see the mess that resulted. Nothing in the Bill takes powers away from the local authorities to set charges such as parking charges and this money is retained in the municipal districts which will be the main beneficiaries.

When I listen to Fianna Fáil Senators like Senator Walsh crying crocodile tears for town councils, I presume he was part of a kitchen Cabinet with Noel Dempsey in 2008. I refer to the Fianna Fáil policy at that time, expressed in a document entitled, Accountable Responsible and Democratic Local Government. On page 7, under the heading of Structures and Functions, it states:

The range of functions currently performed by local government units is decided on the basis of history rather than any practical or financial reality. This has to change. The sub-county tier at the moment is ineffective, it lacks focus and is not delivering for the citizen or for the democratic system. Town local government is important in the context of local democracy but many town councils have neither the population nor the financing to be effective units. They are cut off from their natural hinterlands and their boundaries no longer reflect current realities. We need a new, strong district council system to be introduced.

I will continue for the information of the House:

Fianna Fáil believes new municipal councils and regional councils with teeth, need to be introduced or as the premier unit of local government, the county and city council should remain the premier tier of local government and that tier should be responsible for the delivery and financing of all local services.

In other words, the 70 additional reserved functions I am giving the municipal authorities are totally opposed in this document published by Fianna Fáil.