On 10 October 2024, in his capacity as Chair of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee on the Future of Local Democracy, Senator Mark Daly, along with members Senator Maria Byrne, Senator Garrett Ahearn, Senator Frances Black, Senator Cathal Byrne, Senator Pat Casey, Senator Gerard P. Craughwell, Senator Imelda Goldsboro, Senator Laura Harmon, Senator Sharon Keogan, Senator Conor Murphy and Senator Fiona O’Loughlin, published the Committee’s report on the future of local government in Ireland. The report represents the outcome of an extensive public consultation process undertaken by the Committee to examine the state, role, and future direction of local democracy. 

At the heart of the Committee’s conclusions was a recommendation for the establishment of a dedicated Local Democracy Task Force, to be chaired by the Minister for Local Government. The purpose of this Task Force was to provide sustained national focus on the development and strengthening of local democracy, ensuring that reform is coordinated, strategic, and responsive to the needs of communities across the country. The Committee also makes 25 detailed recommendations relating to the composition and remit of the Task Force, the financing and funding of local government, the strengthening of supports available to elected councillors, and a comprehensive review of the powers, functions and responsibilities of local authorities.

Click the link below to download a copy of the full report:
Report on the Future of Local Democracy

​Local Government Reform: Recommendations of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee

​​In view of the submissions received, the content of all public hearings and the numerous reports into reform of local government in Ireland, all of which recommend changes aimed at devolving powers to local government and strengthening local democracy, it is the view of this Committee:

1. That within three months of the formation of the next Government, the Government Minister with responsibility for local government should convene a “Local Democracy Taskforce” (the Taskforce) to finalise a programme for the reform and strengthening of local government based on the recommendations of the reports and reviews referred to above and the submissions received by the Seanad Public Consultation Committee.
2. This Taskforce shall consist of people with requisite experience in the areas of local democracy and local government and could include former Ministers with responsibility for local government, as well as current Ministers and Ministers of State.
3. Within six months of the first meeting of the Taskforce, the Minister shall make legislative and regulatory proposals to the Government for its approval, to ‘Reimagine Local Democracy’, improve local democracy and government for citizens and rebalance the democratic deficit, with timelines and responsibilities allocated to each item.
4. The Taskforce shall convene quarterly thereafter, bringing forward policy changes for Government decision, with each quarterly review of the Taskforce to be published, and outline the progress of the implementation of its recommendations and the legislative changes it has proposed to the Minister.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Among the key areas and themes highlighted in the Seanad Public Consultation that the Taskforce, in the view of the Committee, should consider examining in its legislative and proposals to the Government are the following:                                                                                                      
5. A Democratic Impact assessment review, as well as ongoing reporting on all policies and legislative proposals, should be required by all Government departments and agencies under their control.
6. A review of the financing of local government, including the issue of commercial rates, a form of taxation that originated in the 19th century and is not suitable for the needs of the 21st century.
7. The Taskforce should focus on Reimagine Local Democracy proposals, which should include a reinstatement of a form of Town Councils and/or the election of “Municipal District Councillors” on the same day and ballot paper as County Councillors for local elections.
8. ‘Red tape’ reform, focusing on a simplification and streamlining local government services and access to local government staff that adheres to legally required timelines for responses.
9. Further legislative and policy protections for citizens, officials, and public representatives, particularly in relation to the online space.
10. Refine the code of conduct for councillors to ensure that the council is a safe working environment for all elected members and staff and that meetings are productive and inclusive.
11. Take steps to ensure that local authorities are family-friendly workplaces, and that ‘dignity-at-work’ principles are universally applied.
12. Relevant departments and their agencies should be legally required to be accountable to local authorities and their members for the services that they are responsible for providing in each local authority area.
13. Local authority members should have access to independent legal, financial, and planning advice. This advice should be provided under the umbrella of AILG, LAMA and Regional Assemblies.
14. The Taskforce, in association with the Electoral Commission, should work together to promote participation in local elections, particularly to ensure more participation of women in all elements of local elections and local government
15. The Taskforce, in association with the Electoral Commission, should work together to promote participation in local elections, particularly to ensure more participation of young people and minority groups in all elements of local elections and local government.
16. The Taskforce, with the Government’s assistance and by negotiation with the Northern Ireland Assembly, should engage with Northern Ireland local government organisations and other relevant bodies to create a process if ongoing cross border cooperation that is mutually beneficial to the citizens in both jurisdictions.
17. The Taskforce should look at the welfare, security, terms and conditions of local authority members and staff to ensure that childcare and other issues that limit participation in local government are addressed.
18. The Taskforce in its recommendations to the Government should include proposals to address the reduction of the powers and responsibilities of the democratically elected local authority members, as highlighted in the Seanad Public Consultation Committee research paper on the topic of “Local Government Functions 1993-2024”. This research enabled the committee to look at the legislative changes that has led to a loss of function and other powers due to centralisation which has led to a rebalancing of the powers within local democracy. The drift from local democratic government to local administrative areas has been relentless and this must be addressed, because as unelected officials acquire more power and decision-making, it undermines citizens’ access to decision-makers.
19. Research by the Committee also looked at the current powers of local authority members, many of which are underutilised. The Committee is strongly of the view that the necessary supports need to be put in place for public representatives to use the full range of the current powers available to them.
20. Explore tangible ways that local authority powers can be maintained and restored. Central Government should examine the legal and policy frameworks required for councils to provide water and waste management services to citizens if they wish to do so.
21. Central Government should examine devolving more powers to the local authorities through the legislative process to strengthen and enhance local democracy and the delivery of additional local services.
22. Immediately reverse the reserved functions/powers recently taken away from the elected council, including the section 183 (of the Local Government Act 2001) function for disposal of council-owned land to the Land Development Agency for housing developments and the Part 8 reserved function for local authorities’ own housing developments (under S.I. No. 600/2001 – Planning and Development Regulations, 2001, as amended). This would demonstrate the Minister’s and Government’s commitment to strengthening local government and democratically elected local government.
23. Area Committees in the local authorities of Cork City, Galway City and the four Dublin Local Authorities of Dublin City, Fingal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin should be on the same statutory footing as Municipal Districts.
24. Expand the councillor leave legislation to cover paternity leave for new fathers.
25. The timing of Council meetings must be reviewed to allow for local authority members to attend in person, as many local authority meetings are held during daytime working hours, making it difficult for many others who also have other employment commitments to attend.