Papers Today

// Critical of failure to publish promised report on local government reform

FAILURE to publish before Christmas, as promised, a White Paper on Local Government Reform has been strongly criticised.

It has come from Mayor of Kinsale and former president of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland (AMAI), Dermot Collins, who presided over a special debate on the subject at its 95th annual conference in Sligo in September.

"The AMAI, on behalf of town councils in Ireland, made major submissions on Local Government Reform before and after the publication of a Green Paper as well as holding numerous meetings and there was a clear understanding in a meeting with Minister John Gormley in November that I attended with representatives of other local authority organisations that a White Paper containing a list of specific proposals on reform, would be published before the end of 2008," he stated.

There was need, the Mayor of Kinsale continued, for reforms to be in place immediately after this summer's local elections. In general, the AMAI wanted to see the erosion and transfer of town council functions to county councils halted and a proper system financing at local level put in place. This, he pointed out, was very important for sustaining and nurturing democracy and ensuring the best possible services to the people.

"It is widely acknowledged that town councils provided the most responsive, economic and efficient level of service in the local government system, "said Mr. Collins who called on Minister for Local Government John Gormley to publish the long overdue White Paper as soon as possible.

A spokesperson for the Department of Local Government, when contacted by The Southern Star, said the White Paper was due to be published "shortly".

Leo McMahon
© Southern Star 14.02.08