Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 188: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the possibility of establishing a town council in Blessington, County Wicklow. [2644/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Government Act 2001 modernises the legislative framework, supports community involvement with local authorities in a more participative local democracy and underpins generally the programme of local government renewal. The Act takes account of the recommendations of the 1996 report of the reorganisation commission, Towards Cohesive Local Government — Town and County, regarding improved accessibility, interaction and linkages for non-local authority towns within county council areas.

Section 185 of the Local Government Act 2001 provides, inter alia, that qualified electors of a town having a population of at least 7,500 as ascertained at the last preceding census and not having a town council may make a proposal for the establishment of such a council. This figure was set in line with the figures mentioned in the 1996 report referred to above. The population of Blessington is less than this required population threshold.

However, in line with the local government modernisation programme, Wicklow County Council has, with financial assistance from my Department, established a one stop shop civic office in Blessington. In addition, the interests of the Blessington community are represented at area committee and county council level by their elected council members.