Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently no proposals under consideration to reintroduce town councils as Government policy is to strengthen the country's 95 municipal districts. The 2010 report 'Putting People First - Action Programme for Effective Local Government' recognised that town councils led to duplication of administrative work in areas such as planning, housing and roads. The Local Government Reform Act 2014 saw the dissolution of 80 town councils which represented just 14% of the population, with municipal districts now providing services to all citizens equally.

In terms of democratic representation, structural reorganisation was a core element of the 'Putting People First' report advanced through the establishment of municipal districts, integrated with the county councils as part of a new, innovative system. It ended the previous unbalanced arrangement of isolated town councils contrasting with the lack of municipal status and local governance for rural areas, where many town environs and some larger centres lacked municipal status and local governance. In particular, it tackled the issue of towns' dual franchise which a Council of Europe report had described as unfair.

Now, local matters are dealt with at municipal district level and wider strategic issues are decided at county level. The result is an integrated administrative structure in each county which maximises operational efficiency while ensuring devolved decision-making throughout the county.

The adverse financial implications in the 2018 report 'Municipal Governance – Districts, Towns and Local Electoral Areas' were estimated at €28-38 million per annum for the reintroduction of 72 town councils, or some €12 million if these councils merely had a civic/ceremonial purpose.

In consideration of all these factors the reasons for replacing town councils remain valid, in particular, provision of equality of public service to all of our citizens, and there is limited demand for their return. Elected members have made it clear that this system is significantly better than the previous structures and will deliver further benefits over time. Restoring town councils would reverse the significant benefits of municipal districts and halt efforts to continue to develop and improve the new system.