Galway City Council has welcomed news of the Local Democracy Taskforce, saying that it hopes that the new group will help to expedite and progress a number of 'essential' projects in the city.
There’s reform in the air in Galway, as the Government's plans to introduce a new Local Democracy Taskforce, designed to 'revitalise and strengthen' local Governments, takes one step closer to being finalised.
The group, established by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, aims to do some essential behind-the-scenes housekeeping for how local government operates in Ireland. The department describes it as an 'ambitious and detailed work programme' that it believes will 'give rise to a series of reforms in the local Government sector'. The Taskforce’s work will be organised into four key pillars: structure, finance, functions, and governance/accountability.
Following confirmation of the taskforce's scope by the Government this week, the Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary, said the taskforce represents a vital opportunity to realign local government with the people it serves.
“Galway City Council welcomes the establishment of the Local Democracy Taskforce. Local authorities are the form of government closest to the people they serve. It is vital that their structures, functions, governance and funding reflect that.
"Galway City Council has identified 12 priority projects as part of the National Programme for Government; their delivery and support is essential for Galway city to deliver the targets set out for the city and the region in the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework. We look forward to the publication of the recommendations of the taskforce later this year”.
Priority projects
For Galway, this could have real, tangible outcomes. The city’s priority projects include the long-anticipated N6 Ring Road, a pedestrian bridge at the old Clifden railway line, the Galway City Flood Defence (Coirib go Cósta ), the regeneration of Dyke Road and Sandy Road, enabling development of Ardaun, a cultural infrastructure fund, Galway Port redevelopment, wastewater infrastructure and a proposed tourist bed night tax.
According to Galway City Council, the taskforce poses as a potential opportunity to get its priority projects submitted in the 2024 Programme for Government over the line.
The council says this investment programme is "vital" in ensuring Galway city continues to thrive and remains a "world-class destination to live, visit, and do business".
The taskforce will be chaired by Jim Breslin, former Secretary General of the Departments of Children, Health and Further and Higher Education.
The taskforce’s first meeting is expected later this month, and while its recommendations may take up to nine months to crystallise, the tone has already been set.
