Minister provides Tipperary TD with update regarding local democracy taskforce
Minister James Browne TD has responded to Tipperary TD Seamus Healy's queries regarding the establishment of a local democracy taskforce.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, has responded to the queries of a Tipperary TD regarding the establishment of a local democracy taskforce.
In a recent Dáil sitting, Independent TD for Tipperary South Seamus Healy called for a local democracy taskforce to be set up, stating that it was included in the programme for government.
Healy said "Local government is the heartbeat of democracy. The Fine Gael–Labour Party Government abolished borough councils and town councils in 2014 and replaced them with committees that had no power, no functions and no money.
"I think it is already accepted by almost everybody, including the former leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin, that it was a very bad decision."
"The programme for Government commits to the establishment of a local democracy task force. Will the Taoiseach please outline when this task force will be set up and if he will ensure local community voices are represented on it and ensure the terms of reference will include the re-establishment of town and borough councils?"
In a response from Minster James Browne to these queries, Browne stated that "The Programme for Government states that this Taskforce will bring forward proposals which the Government will consider, including on the establishment of town councils in large towns, on a regional phased basis, to provide a focal-point for raising concerns of towns and coordinating town-focused activities.
"With regard to the timeline for its work, the Terms of Reference for the Taskforce are currently under development in the Department, and these will have due regard to the commitments in the Programme for Government.
"Following further consideration and input from key stakeholders, they will be brought to Government for approval. The first meeting of the Taskforce will take place as soon as possible thereafter" concluded the Minister.