Paul Bradford (Renua Ireland) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that we will be having a debate on local government structures and ancillary matters later but there will probably not be sufficient time to allow all members to make contributions. Last Thursday, with the permission of the Cathaoirleach, I had the opportunity to discuss, by way of a Commencement matter, the issue of local government reform and, in particular, municipal districts and town councils with the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Ann Phelan, who, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Kelly, stated that unfortunately as far as he is concerned the current debate on the future of local government is off the table. I was, therefore, surprised but pleased to hear the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, concede once again that as far as he is concerned the abolition of town councils was a grave mistake and one that should be rectified. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, has indicated that he wants this issue to form part of the Labour Party manifesto. However, that is the business of the Labour Party. It is an issue that forms part of the manifesto of my party, Renua.

Every political party should reflect on the fact that this country and its citizens have been well served down the years by the women and men who served in an almost voluntary capacity on town councils. It is more rather than less democracy that we need. I am glad that the Minister, Deputy Howlin, is brave enough to admit that the Government made a grave mistake in this area. We should legislate well in advance of the local government elections in 2019 for the repeal of the current local government Act and put in place proper local government structures such that local means local and all citizens have a say in electing their council. This would include former town councils and, hopefully, many more units of local government through which the people of a particular community want to be represented at local level. This is the norm across Europe. We moved in reverse and in a negative fashion by abolishing the town councils in 2013.