Local government set for a new future

It is high time that local councils became more efficient. Phil Hogan offers his vision for reform of local government.

THE Local Government Bill currently before the Dáil implements the reforms in the action programme for effective local government, ‘Putting People First’, which outlined the rationale for reform and a vision for local government to be utilised as effectively as possible as the primary vehicle for governance and public service locally.

The bill addresses fundamental weaknesses and brings renewal across the entire local government system; structures, functions, funding, governance, and operational arrangements.