Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 3

Written Answers. - Local Government Reform.

Michael Creed

Question:

80 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has for local government reform; if he intends to devolve additional powers to local authorities; if permanent additional staff will be available to the proposed sub-county tier; the powers which will be vested in this body; the role, if any, existing urban district councils and town commissioners have in the sub-county tier.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

82 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, the Government has to grant borough status to the town of Tralee, County Kerry.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 82 together.

The Government's proposals for local government reform are set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government. As part of the first phase of implementation, the following have already been laid before both Houses:

Local Authority Reserved Functions: Recommendations of Working Group.

Local Government Act, 1991 (Reserved Functions) Order, 1993 (S.I. No. 37 of 1993).

Dublin (Preparations for Reorganisation) Regulations, 1993 (S.I. No. 52 of 1993).

Draft Regulations entitled — Local Government Act, 1991, (Removal of Controls) Regulations, 1993 — and a motion seeking the approval of same.

The preparation of proposals for the establishment of regional authorities is at an advanced stage. Work is also in hands on a Bill to establish the new county councils in Dublin (Fingal; South Dublin; Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown) and on a Bill to modernise local government law generally; the latter will confer wide by-law making powers; up date the law on local authority meetings and procedures, remove unnecessary controls; modernise and consolidate other aspects of local government law including the law on the acquisition and disposal of land; and generally to allow for greater local autonomy. A Road Traffic Bill, now at an advanced stage of preparation, will also reflect a significant move in the direction of increased local autonomy.

Elections at the sub-county level will be held in 1994 in tandem with the elections to the European Parliament. In the meantime, a ministerial committee is considering reform at sub-county level, taking account of the various issues involved including local finance and devolution of additional functions to local authorities. Any alterations in the structure, status, role, areas, powers, functions or staffing of existing local authorities at sub-county level falls to be considered in this context; these issues must await completion of the review now underway, decisions by the Government as to future arrangements, and the enactment of such legislation as may be necessary.