Local government reform Bill
Brian Stanley asked when the local government Bill would reach committee and whether it would devolve power to elected councils. The Tánaiste expected publication shortly and enactment before the 2014 local elections.
This time last year we had the launch of the document, Putting People First, on local government reform. When will the heads of the local government Bill come before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht for discussion, as requested by the Chairman and members?
Will it devolve powers from fortress Custom House to local councils and from unelected county managers to councillors?
Comment on this
The local government Bill is due to come before the Government shortly. I expect it will be published shortly thereafter. The intention is that it will go to the committee. However, we are anxious to have the legislation enacted and in place in advance of the local elections next year so that the measures proposed will take effect when new councils are elected in 2014. The Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation and I expect it will be dealt with by the Government in the near future.