Louth TD introduces new bill in ‘crucial’ bid to give Drogheda city status
Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne has presented the Local Government (Cities) Bill 2026 to the Dáil
A Louth TD has introduced a bill to the Dáil which seeks to give Drogheda city status.
Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne presented the Local Government (Cities) Bill 2026 as part of the first stage of the legislative process.
The bill would see the Local Electoral Area of Drogheda Urban officially renamed as the Municipal District of Drogheda City.
It also seeks to amend the Local Government Act 2001 so that other towns may also acquire city status in the future.
In introducing the bill, Deputy Byrne said that everyone in Drogheda is in favour of its passing.
She outlined the importance of the bill and the impact she believes it would have on Drogheda and the entire county.
“City status is crucial to ensure that Drogheda and other large towns receive proper investment in infrastructure, services and jobs rather than being treated merely as commuter towns.
“I do not claim to have a magic wand that will fix everything we have wanted for years but I believe this mechanism would pave the first step on a pathway to greater things.
“I stood for election on the platform of elevating city status for Drogheda and I am unapologetic in my attempts to deliver real change and local democracy for the place I call home.”
Deputy Byrne went on to highlight the work she undertook to bring the bill before the Dáil. She also outlined how it will also allow other towns to apply for city status.
“This is why I have spent the first 13 months as a TD working with the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers to produce this legislation.
“I emphasise that the same criteria contained in the Bill can be used for other large towns throughout the State to apply for city status for their respective areas.
“These include places such as Navan, Bray, Dundalk, Swords, Ennis, Letterkenny, Sligo, Tralee and many more.
“When they hit the criteria they too can apply for city status to have local government based locally, making decisions locally, to benefit all of what are now towns but are future cities. This is how we plan for the future.”
She concluded by saying that the legislation needed to be advanced in order to realise Drogheda’s full potential.
The bill was not opposed by the Government, meaning it has passed the first stage of the legislative process.
The next stage will see the bill’s overall merits be debated by Oireachtas members.