Order axing town councils is signed

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has signed an order creating a new layer of local government that will replace the old town councils and cut the number of elected representatives.

The move gives effect to the recommendations of last year’s boundary commission report which said the country should be divided into 95 municipal districts.

It means the existing network of town councils will cease to exist on June 1. The changes will transform the way councillors win seats on local authorities following the May 23 elections.

Those elected will simultaneously win seats on councils and in their municipal districts. The old system, where people ran in two separate elections for town and county councils, is over. The districts will have between six and 10 seats each, and every councillor will represent an average of 4,830 people.

The new united Tipperary Council will be split into five districts, anchored around Clonmel, Cashel, Carrick-on-Suir, Nenagh, and Thurles. Limerick City will be divided into three areas and the united council will also draw from districts based on Adare, Kilmallock, and Newcastlewest.

In Cork, Ballincollig and Carrigaline are part of a single 10-seater district, while Blarney and Macroom, and Kinsale and Bandon will feed into two six-seaters.