TOWN councils offer the best and most efficient form of local government in Ireland and should be given enhanced roles in any reform of the sector, a new report has claimed.

LOCAL authorities in Kerry are taking the lead nationally in an attempt to safeguard the future of town councils.

PAYMENTS of €48,000 to councillors for attending three conferences were in accordance with departmental rates and agreed with the Environment Minister, a county manager has stated.

A SENIOR policing official has warned that Justice Minister Michael McDowell’s planned Joint Policing Committees will be ineffective unless they are give proper powers and a defined role.

THE return of domestic rates, or the introduction of local taxation, are not being ruled out in a major independent review of local government funding.