(1888PressRelease)
November 21, 2007 - Limerick, - The Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council today suggested that local authorities across the country should be given more power and responsibility.
In a submission being prepared for inclusion in the Green Paper on the Reform of Local Government, Cllr. Kevin Sheahan has proposed that the Government transfer responsibility for community policing, health and education, as well as allowing local authorities to raise their own taxes.
While opposed to any increases in taxation, Cllr. Sheahan said the establishment of self-governance for local authorities would inevitably boost regional competitiveness and, consequently, help strengthen the Irish economy.
The Cathaoirleach confirmed he would be seeking support for the submission from fellow councillors at next Monday’s monthly meeting of Limerick County Council.
“The functions of local government in Ireland are extremely limited in comparison with most other European nations”, explained Cllr. Sheahan.
He continued, “We should have devolution of responsibility and power to local government and not just decentralisation of government departments. This transfer of responsibilities should include an adequate means of funding local government needs through some form of local taxation to be spent locally. This would enable Councils to dictate and control spending for local projects, and in turn allow the electorate to have a greater voice in the issues of importance to their communities.”
“As seen in other European counties, such a transfer of responsibility to local government contributes to a strengthening sense of citizenship and society”, added Cllr. Sheahan.
In his submission, the Cathaoirleach has proposed that, in the event of the Bishops being unable to continue to administer national education, it would be transferred to local government; that local government would be responsible for community policing; that local government would be responsible for community health, including local health clinics, county hospitals, orthopaedic hospitals and all activities relation to care of the elderly; and that, as the licensing and registration authority for cars and drivers, responsibility for driver testing would be transferred to local authorities.
Cllr. Sheahan explained, “Revenue for the implementation of these proposals could be proportioned to the local authority as a percentage of income tax, without increasing the tax rate. This would ensure that the tax rate remains neutral.”
The public consultation process to feed into a Green Paper was announced in July by Mr. John Gormley, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Councillors, academics and interested parties have also been asked for their input before Minister Gormley produces the paper in early 2008. This will be followed by a White Paper later next year.
The Green Paper will address key issues, such as whether there should be directly elected mayors for other towns or counties in the country, whether there should be a rebalancing of powers between elected councillors and local authority managers and officials, and whether new town councils should be established for the new large communities that have been built up in the past decade.
Cllr. Sheahan suggested, “The 18th century American colonies slogan of ‘No taxation without representation’ rings true in 21st century Ireland. The Government’s commitment to introducing what it describes as the most sweeping reforms of local government in the State's history must include a radical transfer of responsibilities to local authorities, including an increased level of control over taxation.”
“I will move at the next meeting of Limerick County Council that it would submit a list of recommendations by way of a submission to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for inclusion in the Green Paper on the Reform of Local Government”, concluded the Cathaoirleach.
Note to Editors:
- Cllr. Kevin Sheahan, Chairperson of Limerick County Council (087-2926333)
- For further details please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media ( @ ) dunphypr dot com dot
“Limerick County Council is the Local Government administrative body responsible for Limerick County and comprises an elected and executive structure.”
