Alison Comyn (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I begin, I also welcome the announcement of the date of the commencement of the fair fares scheme in Drogheda, County Louth, on 28 April. It is a Monday. It will be a good day for people who commute as they will save up to 50%.

I will speak about another date, though. History buffs will recognise the date Oliver Cromwell and the new model army laid siege to Drogheda in 1649. Almost 400 years later, the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, left his own indelible mark in a very different way. A central theme of my election campaign last year was the restoration of local government, which was plundered in the foolhardy Local Government Reform Act 2014. This Act, as Senators may remember, led to the abolition of 80 town councils and five borough councils, including that of Drogheda, which was centuries old. If its aim was to improve local government and save money, it did the exact opposite. I am therefore pleased that the strengthening of local democracy is now part of the programme for Government and I am eager to see the promised local democracy task force formed. I request, through the Leader, that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Browne, or the Minister of State for local government, Deputy Cummins, attend this House to discuss its urgent convening.

As we all know, local government is the beating heart of democracy, providing essential services, such as housing, roads, planning, fire safety and much more. Decisions made locally are always better because local representatives understand their communities. Centralising power has harmed many towns, especially Drogheda, which needs a full-time senior executive to manage services and ensure proper funding. The return of a town council and to the days of the old town clerk or town manager would ensure quicker decisions, less vacancy and better services all round. The local democracy task force will propose ways to devolve more powers to local authorities, enhancing and strengthening councillors’ roles in managing local budgets and services. More than a decade of harm has been done since Drogheda lost its local government. We cannot afford any further delay in restoring its town council and installing a dedicated manager alongside those in Dundalk and Ardee.