15. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will immediately establish the local democracy task force promised in the programme for Government 2025 with a view to the early re-establishment of borough and town councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24258/25]

Sentiment score: 0.13

Local government is the beating heart of democracy. It was abolished in 2014 by the Fine Gael and Labour Government. When will the Minister establish the local democracy task force promised in the programme for Government 2025 to re-establish local government?

Sentiment score: 0.03

I thank the Minister. The town and borough councils were abolished in 2014. They were replaced by committees with no powers, functions or funding. This abolition of town and borough councils has seriously damaged towns throughout the country, including in Clonmel where we had a form of local government going back to the 1400s. This is a very serious issue. I had hoped the Minister of State could give a timeline for the establishment of the local democracy task force, initially, and for the completion of that work and re-establishment of the councils.

Sentiment score: -0.04