Local governance best placed to deliver efficiency in public services
Issued : Thursday 9 September, 2010
Statement by Ciarán Lynch TD
Speaking at the 97th Annual Conference
Association of Municipal Authorities in Ireland, Bundoran, Co Donegal
The current parlous state of our public finances has quite rightly forced us all to focus on how we can ensure greater efficiency in the delivery of public services.
We've seen cut backs, adjustments and spending reviews right left and centre. We've even seen where Colm McCarthy's Bord Snip advocating filleting the most local layer of democracy that we have in this country by scrapping municipal authorities right across the country.
If we have learned anything in the last few years it is that doing away with democratically mandated, local organisations to make way for unaccountable super-bureaucracies, is a recipe for disaster. Is there anybody for example, that would seriously argue that the HSE has improved the quality of health services delivered at local level?
The fact of the matter is that local government, uniquely, is in a position to promote efficiency by identifying solutions to relevant local problems and conditions.
Our local government is not perfect - far from it in fact - and Labour has put forward far-reaching proposals to reform local government that will deliver genuine efficiency at local level. For example:
* Is our view that where an issue arises regarding a town council seeking rating status or dispute arises over the inclusion of an area in a council, the issue could be resolved either by plebiscite of the voters in that area or by recommendation of the Local Government Commission (Local Government Act, 2001)
* Government departments and State Agency should be examined to identify those functions which would be performed more effectively and appropriately at a local level.
* Councils should have the power to seek reports from service providers on a similar basis to Oireachtas Committees, and to question, in public, the appropriate managers on aspects of their service.
* The position of County Manager should be abolished and replaced by a Chief Executive of the Council.
* We believe that the distinction between county councils and the town should be rebalanced.
* Chief Executives should exercise a limited range of Executive Functions, similar to those which were originally intended in the City and County management Acts.
* Chief Executives should have no policy-making functions other than to assist and advise the elected Council in the making of policy.
* The power of the Minister to abolish a Council and to replace it with a Commissioner should be ended. Instead, where a Council fails to adopt an Annual Budget, the Council should stand suspended, and fresh elections be held to elect a new council for the remainder of its five year cycle.
* Rates should be levied on State owned property. There is no continuing justification for exempting State owned property from the rates regime which applies to privately owned businesses.
Local Government Reform can only be achieved in the context of a broader reform programme that not only involves National Government Reform but also a comprehensive reform of our public and state structures thereby providing a clear framework as to what functions as best suited to the differing levels of government.
