Housing Committee to focus on local government reform measures

John Paul Phelan, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government with special responsibility for Local Government and Electoral Reform will appear before the Committee to discuss two papers published by the department on municipal governance and local authority boundaries.

Speaking in advance of the meeting, Pat Casey TD, said, “Effective local government has the potential to develop and enhance collaborative arrangements between local authorities and public service providers. We as legislators must examine the capabilities of local authorities and assess how they can be assisted in better serving the needs of citizens. Tomorrow the Joint Committee will engage with the Minister of State on the measures his department plans to take in order to enhance the capability of local government to deliver efficient services to their communities.”

“This meeting will have a particular emphasis on the strengthening the municipal governance system, as the department has set out its rationale for not re-establishing town councils. Issues around boundary alterations and the excessive size of some local electoral areas will also be discussed with the Minister.”

The meeting will commence at 9.30am in Committee Room 1, Leinster House.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here