Leader of the Independent Team of Ministers and Minister for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney TD, has welcomed the establishment of a new Local Democracy Taskforce, describing it as a key milestone in the Government’s programme to reform and strengthen local government in Ireland.
The Taskforce — approved by Cabinet this week— will develop a comprehensive programme of reform across the local government sector and deliver recommendations over the next six to nine months. Its work will centre on four core pillars: Structure, Finance, Functions, and Governance & Accountability.
“This Taskforce provides an opportunity to reset and rebalance local democracy in Ireland,” said Minister Canney. “It will look at how we empower councillors, strengthen Municipal Districts, ensure more inclusive local representation, and deliver more effective oversight — all with the goal of building a more accountable, responsive, and community-focused local government system.”
The Taskforce will:
Consider greater devolution of powers to local authorities and councillors;
Examine how to rebalance the relationship between elected members and Executive management;
Recommend measures to strengthen Municipal Districts and Area Committees;
Explore ways to enhance councillors’ input into budgets and financial decision-making;
Propose mechanisms to increase the accountability of Chief Executives and Directors of Services;
Look at diversity and proportionality in council membership across the country.
The Taskforce will be chaired by Jim Breslin, former Secretary General at the Departments of Children, Health and Further and Higher Education, and will include representatives from:
Local authority elected members and executive bodies;
The National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC);
The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA);
The Local Government Audit Service;
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage;
As well as a number of independent experts.
Minister Canney also welcomed the strong role to be played by the Seanad, whose previous reports on the future of local democracy have helped shape the Terms of Reference now adopted by Government.
“We are not starting from scratch. This builds on a substantial body of work already undertaken by the Seanad, AILG, and the EU monitoring group — and now we have a formal mechanism to turn that into action,” Minister Canney said.
The Taskforce will also liaise with the Interdepartmental Group on Local Government (IDG) and convene stakeholder consultations involving local government organisations, employers, community and voluntary groups, and public representatives.
Minister Canney concluded: “As a former councillor, I know how vital strong local government is to every town, village and rural community. This Taskforce is a chance to give councillors the tools and resources they deserve — and to ensure that local authorities are equipped to deliver for the people they serve. It is a very welcome step forward.”
The first meeting of the Taskforce is expected later this month.
