Vol. 515 No. 3
41 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when he will bring forward long promised legislation providing for the reform of local government and the direct election of mayors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5982/00]
Work is ongoing on the Local Government Bill, which is at an advanced stage of drafting and is intended for publication in the current Dáil session. The Bill is substantial with more than 200 sections; it will consolidate and modernise local government law, implement a range of reforms and generally underpin the programme of local government renewal. The Bill will, inter alia, include provision for the direct election of cathaoirligh of county and city councils from the next local elections in 2004. As part of the programme of local government renewal a whole series of initiatives designed to transform local government have already been taken; and action is well in hand across a range of fronts. A new funding system is in place; a major planning Bill is before the Oireachtas; constitutional recognition has been accorded to local government, together with a fixed electoral cycle; the partnership model is being introduced via the strategic policy committees; modern financial management, accounting and VFM systems have been developed; strengthened management structures are ready for implementation; the first element of a training programme for councillors is complete; funding is being provided for a one-stop-shop initiative; the next phase of SMI for local authorities is about to be launched; and county-city development boards are currently being established. All in all these and other initiatives represent a major programme of action for the renewal of local government which the Local Government Bill is intended to support and underpin.
