I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time. This Bill makes provision for the incorporation of the urban district of Howth in the County Borough of Dublin and for the repeal of Sections 53 (3) and 101 of the Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1930.
Section 101 of that Act provided for the appointment of a tribunal to report on boundaries and joint public health services within five years after the passing of the Act, and for a further investigation of these problems by a tribunal to be appointed not later than ten years after the passing of the Act. The report of the first tribunal was received towards the end of 1938. It constitutes a very comprehensive documentation of metropolitan problems and contains proposals of a far-reaching character. As I indicated during the discussions on the County Management Bill I do not propose to deal at present with the main proposals in the report. There is no need for entering upon a second inquiry; and it is proposed to repeal the provisions of Section 101 of the Act of 1930.
The tribunal in their report did definitely establish the need for bringing the Howth Urban District within the county borough for administrative purposes, and that view was subsequently endorsed by the Howth Urban District Council. This Bill, therefore, proposes to give legislative effect to its inclusion in the county borough. The urban district is a favourite pleasure ground of the citizens of Dublin and the future development of the area and the preservation of its amenities should have an important place in city management.
The inclusion of the urban district in the county borough will involve a transfer to the corporation of the administration of the services relating to roads, scavenging, lighting, sanitary works, housing and other miscellaneous services. The services administered by the county council in so far as they affect the urban district, which will be transferred to the corporation, relate to the preparation of voters and jurors lists, the administration of the Acts relating to weights and measures, and food and drugs. The joint services under the control of the Dublin Board of Health relate to the treatment of tuberculosis, the school medical service and the welfare of the blind which will also pass to the corporation. The Howth Urban District is at present included in the Dublin Union area and its transfer to the corporation would make little difference in the contribution of the urban district towards union expenses.
The property, debts and liabilities of the county council and the urban district in respect of the above services would be the subject of adjustment between the county council and the corporation under Section 19 of the Local Government (Dublin) Act which is applied by the Bill. The financial effect on the city and the urban district will be slight. The rates for the present year are 20/2, plus 2/4 water rate, in the £ in the urban district and 20/9 in the £ in the county borough. The incidence of the rate on agricultural land in the urban district will be higher when the district is incorporated in the county borough, as it will then be rated to the municipal rate on one-half the valuation.
Section 5 of the Bill incorporates the necessary portions of the Act of 1930, the provisions of which are necessary by reason of the inclusion of the urban district in the county borough. The principal incorporated provisions relate to the transfer of property and liabilities; the preservation of continuing contracts; the continuance of bye-laws, of resolutions of the council, and of any legal proceedings; the collection of rates due or accruing to the urban council, the transfer of officers and employees; the award of compensation to officers by reason of abolition of office; and the application and adaptation of enactments.
The Bill also repeals sub-section (3) of Section 53 of the Act of 1930 and makes provision for the appointment of Dublin City Manager in the manner laid down in the County Management Act for the appointment of county managers, whereby the Local Appointments Commission shall recommend a person on the application of the Minister and such person shall by virtue of such recommendation be appointed to the position of city manager on a date to be fixed by the Minister.