Written answers

Tuesday, 18 December 2007

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Local Government Reform

11:00 pm

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if it is his intention to provide for directly elected mayors in Dublin and other local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35138/07]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of applications made by towns seeking town council status in view of the present examination of local government being undertaken by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35137/07]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 99 together.

In accordance with the Programme for Government, my Department will be publishing a Green Paper on local government reform early in the new year. The Green Paper will examine a number of issues with the objective of making local government more transparent and responsive, and will set out options for reform in advance of a subsequent White Paper. Issues to be considered in the Green Paper will include the provision of directly elected mayors and the establishment of town councils in those towns that have shown significant population growth in recent years. The Government Programme states that a directly elected Mayor for Dublin with executive powers will be introduced by 2011.

The Green Paper represents the initial phase of a transparent, inclusive policy formulation process. The purpose of a Green Paper is not to arrive at a single solution, but to present options for further consideration. In this regard, it would be premature to anticipate the conclusions that may be reached regarding the provision of directly elected Mayors in any local authority area.

The provisions for the establishment of new town councils are contained in Part 17 of the Local Government Act 2001. However, these provisions have not been commenced and in these circumstances formal applications for new town councils cannot arise. I will give consideration to those parts of the 2001 Act which have not yet been commenced as part of the reform process.

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