Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
364. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 416 of 30 May 2023, if he plans to provide city status for the town of Drogheda; if he has reviewed his position on the matter since his reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17603/24]
View answerIt remains the case that the question of city status for Drogheda is not under consideration at the moment. As indicated previously, the National Planning Framework (NPF) published in 2018 sets out a vision and strategy for the spatial development of Ireland to 2040. The Framework recognises the strategic importance of Drogheda and aims to support its development and its economic potential as part of the Dublin-Belfast Corridor and in particular the core Drogheda-Dundalk-Newry network. Drogheda’s role is reflected at a regional level in the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly area. The RSES targets significant growth into the regional growth centres, including Drogheda, to enable them to act as regional drivers. In 2021 both Meath and Louth County Councils adopted new Development Plans which further underline the importance of Drogheda as a key urban centre in both counties.
In addition, the first revision of the NPF is underway. The current timeline envisages publishing the draft revision and accompanying technical assessments for national public consultation in June 2024. This will be followed by an amendment stage in August 2024, to review and consider submissions and the application of any relevant amendments. Subject to Government approval, the finalised document will be published in September 2024.
Local government areas are specified in primary legislation. The Local Government Act 2001 currently provides for three cities, namely Cork, Dublin and Galway, and for each of these to have a city council.
If an additional city council was to be established, it would have significant implications for the county in which the area concerned is situated, particularly around loss of functions of the relevant county council. Creation of a “Drogheda city” local authority would have a major impact on Co Louth, leaving the county council with much reduced territorial jurisdiction, population, and resources. This would be further complicated by the fact that the area being proposed for Drogheda to qualify as a city includes part of Co Meath.
For a city council to be established, provision would have to be made for this and other consequential matters in the relevant legislation. There are no plans for legislation in this regard.
