I speak today as a proud voice for Clonmel, a town with a borough charter dating back to 1608 and a place of deep history and extraordinary community spirit. Clonmel has felt the loss of its borough council profoundly since its abolition in 2014. Decision-making drifted from the people. Civic pride diminished. The unique identity of our town, forged over centuries, was quietly eroded. Does the Tánaiste agree that the abolition of borough and town councils was a mistake? The programme for Government pledges a pathway back to town-level democracy. I ask the Tánaiste to honour that pledge. Clonmel is not just a town. It is a living borough. It is home to the great outdoors, rich in culture and strong in employment. I ask that our borough council, one of only five in the country, be restored, not for the sake of nostalgia but as an act of justice and to bring about meaningful local government, renewal and the beginning of something better. The people of Clonmel are crying out for their independence from Tipperary County Council and the power base that is Nenagh.

Was it Clonmel or Kilkenny the Deputy mentioned?

I mentioned that there were five borough councils, one of which is Kilkenny.

Does the Leas-Cheann Comhairle have an interest in this? Is the Deputy from Clonmel? I jest. I thank Deputy Murphy. He represents his community with pride and dedication. I thank him for raising this issue on behalf of the people of Clonmel. I have been delighted to be in Clonmel with him on many occasions recently to see all the work that is going on, the benefit of urban regeneration and development fund, URDF, funding, the plans for a college of further education, the regeneration of the old barracks site and the new Garda station. As he will know, there is a commitment in the programme for Government. We have established a local democracy task force. The purpose of this is to look at how to strengthen local government. The task force will look at issues in respect of structure, funding, functions, governance, accountability, local government and, importantly, the role of councillors. It will also consider how to further strengthen the framework and powers of municipal districts, including the Clonmel borough district. It will also consider the role of a small number of town-focused bodies that could be introduced again. I am proud to be a former town commissioner for Greystones so I know the benefits these commissions and councils can bring to a community. The Minister, Deputy Browne, and the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, will bring the recommendations of that task force to Cabinet in due course. I look forward to considering the matter at that time. I will keep in close contact with Deputy Murphy.