Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 3

Written Answers. - Town Status.

Ivan Yates

Question:

306 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if it is intended that the cities of Kilkenny, Drogheda, Sligo, Wexford and Clonmel would be downgraded to town councils; if he has met the mayors of these cities; and is he prepared to ensure that their borough council status would be retained. [24980/00]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

The Local Government Bill, 2000, seeks to replace 19th century terminology with modern language of relevance to Irish society in the 21st century. To reflect this, the 19th century statutory reference to borough is changed to town, as was proposed by the previous Government in its White Paper, Better Local Government; and recommended by expert reports such as Barrington, 1990, and the Commission on Town Local Government, 1996.

However, I am aware of the concerns that have been expressed by the boroughs and their mayors in regard to the proposal a perception that in some way they are being downgraded by the modernisation of terminology in this manner. I have for some time been engaged in a consultation process on the Bill through the local authority representative associations. In this context, as part of a meeting with AMAI representatives, I will be meeting the five mayors to discuss their concerns and possible adjustments to the Bill.