Frances Black (Independent)

I welcome these statements on the local democracy task force. I was proud to be a member of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee in the previous Seanad. We heard some very powerful testimonies from all over the country, from councillors and local government representative organisations North and South, who work at the coalface of their communities, to party leaders, former Ministers and many different experts in local government. The process was very valuable to us as Senators and members of the committee as we heard from a diversity of voices in the Chamber. From this shared experience and expertise, we were able to create an excellent report, which was published in October of last year. One of the outcomes from those hearings was that the committee agreed to the establishment of this local democracy task force. Also within the report were 25 recommendations. Included in the recommendations were potential support for councillors, changes to powers and functions of local authorities and a review of the financing of local government.

The setting up of this task force and implementation of the recommendations are imperative to help strengthen local government. An area that was highlighted repeatedly within these discussions was the deeply unfair and challenging conditions councillors have to face when trying to serve their communities. Councillors’ roles within representing their communities can be extremely difficult. I know from speaking to councillors, within my capacity as a Senator, the challenges they face day to day without the support they so badly need.

One of the outcomes from the feedback I received from these sessions and that I introduced in November of last year was the Local Government (Support for Elected Members) Bill 2024. The Bill will provide administrative support for elected members of local authorities to assist in the performance of their duties. These supports are long overdue. I call on all Oireachtas Members to support this Bill as it goes through the legislative process within Leinster House.

It is important to keep the governing of communities at a local level to protect decision-making and planning by local councils, and to move away from any type of centralised system or power. It is vital. We need to value the input we received from a range of stakeholders on this topic. It is to be hoped this new task force can help implement all these positive changes to local government functions.