Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Bandon Town Council is anxious to achieve urban council status; the steps that need to be taken to achieve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14121/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Local Government Act 2001 is designed to provide a modern legislative framework for all local authorities. Under the Act all town councils, including former town commissioners such as Bandon Town Council, may take action to promote the community interest; exercise a representational role, with an office of mayor and structured linkage to the county council; provide local amenities and raise a local community contribution; and make local by-laws and have statutory input to the local development plan process under the planning code.

Certain town councils, other than former town commissioners, are responsible under the relevant statutory service codes, for certain mainline functions in the housing, roads and sanitary services areas. The Oireachtas, in its comprehensive review and restatement of local government legislative powers in recent years, did not extend responsibility for such mainline functions to additional town councils and legislation would be required to amend this position. I am keeping the position generally under review in the ongoing local government modernisation programme with the aim of ensuring good accessible service delivery at town and county level.