Vol. 535 No. 4
209 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether there is a strong case for urban council status for the town of Bandon, County Cork; the steps which are needed to achieve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12988/01]
Current town authority structures derive from the 19th century. Overall the system was considered unduly fragmented by the commission on town local government which advised that further fragmentation of responsibility for mainline service provision should be avoided. The question of fragmented service responsibility was also referred to adversely in the recent OECD report on regulatory reform in Ireland. Against this background there are no proposals for the creation of additional UDC type authorities each with separate responsibility for mainline services such as housing, roads, rating, water, planning nor indeed has any such authority been established since the foundation of the State. Rather the Local Government Bill, 2000, currently before the Dáil, seeks to promote closer co-operation and more integrated customer service between town and county; to allow what are currently town commissioners to develop a more community focus within a modern legislative framework; town local authorities to be known as town councils and with provision for an office of mayor; local bye laws and option to raise funding for local facilities and for structured linkage with the county council. Various other initiatives such as the one stop shop programme, the urban and village renewal programme and improved input under the Planning and Development Act, 2000, are also designed to support the development of such towns.
