Phil Hogan to scrap all Town Councils. Number of County Councils to be reduced.

[LDF]

According to The Irish Daily Mail on Sunday Minister Phil Hogan is set to undertake a "radical reform of the local authority system" which will lead to the closure of all 80 town councils. There are currently 774 councillors serving on TC's.

Minister Hogan will also amalgamate some County Councils. The reforms will lead to savings worth hundreds of millions to the exchequer according to the story.

This is why I voted for FG. The local authority system has been a financial black hole for many years and has been crying out for reform. It would have been politically expedient for FG (the most dominant party in local government) to continue with the current system. I'm not sure FF would have undertook these reforms under the same circumstances.

There's no link available to the story.

[Talking Shop]

Excellent news... I say this as some one who worked in local government and have respect for what they do. Long overdue.

[tonic]

According to The Irish Daily Mail Minister Phil Hogan is set to undertake a "radical reform of the local authority system" which will lead to the closure of all 80 town councils. There are currently 774 councillors serving on TC's.

Minister Hogan will also amalgamate some County Councils. The reforms will lead to savings worth hundreds of millions to the exchequer according to the story.

This is why I voted for FG. The local authority system has been a financial black hole for many years and has been crying out for reform. It would have been politically expedient for FG (the most dominant party in local government) to continue with the current system. I'm not sure FF would have undertook these reforms under the same circumstances.

There's no link available to the story.

Well, if it's as true as most other other Irish Mail stories, it'll never happen or if Hogan is as true to his word as he was on reducing the number of TD's, the best we can expect will be some farting around at the margins.

[LDF]

Well, if it's as true as most other other Irish Mail stories, it'll never happen or if Hogan is as true to his word as he was on reducing the number of TD's, the best we can expect will be some farting around at the margins.

The story is based on an interview with the Minister - not on a leak that can be denied later.

Also, I think the FG position on reducing the number of TD's was always to reduce the number in line with the constitution. I don't think there has been any reversal of that position.

BTW, the Mail also reports that a deal on the Anglo promissory notes is to be announced shortly - which will result in savings worth billions of € to the Irish taxpayer.

Lots of good news about today.

[NewGoldDream]

Did he give a time period?

FG have promised a good few reforms. Hope it fares better than the efforts to cut the number of junior ministers.

[deepness]

The story is based on an interview with the Minister - not on a leak that can be denied later.

Also, I think the FG position on reducing the number of TD's was always to reduce the number in line with the constitution. I don't think there has been any reversal of that position.

Good news if it happens..

but i suspect it will be over many years and watered down a good bit too. Lets hope not though

[LDF]

Did he give a time period?

FG have promised a good few reforms. Hope it fares better than the efforts to cut the number of junior ministers.

The plans will be brought to cabinet later this year. The next local elections are in 2014 so I presume the reforms will need to be in place by then.

[LDF]

The story is based on an interview with the Minister - not on a leak that can be denied later.

Also, I think the FG position on reducing the number of TD's was always to reduce the number in line with the constitution. I don't think there has been any reversal of that position.

BTW, the Mail also reports that a deal on the Anglo promissory notes is to be announced shortly - which will result in savings worth billions of € to the Irish taxpayer.

Lots of good news about today.

Edit: Apologies. The story is not based on an interview. However, it is extremely detailed and doesn't leave any room for misinterpretation.

[Luachara]

Did he give a time period?

FG have promised a good few reforms. Hope it fares better than the efforts to cut the number of junior ministers.

I would imagine he will have to let the mob elected under the FF regime serve out their term.

[ger12]

According to The Irish Daily Mail on Sunday Minister Phil Hogan is set to undertake a "radical reform of the local authority system" which will lead to the closure of all 80 town councils. There are currently 774 councillors serving on TC's.

Minister Hogan will also amalgamate some County Councils. The reforms will lead to savings worth hundreds of millions to the exchequer according to the story.

This is why I voted for FG. The local authority system has been a financial black hole for many years and has been crying out for reform. It would have been politically expedient for FG (the most dominant party in local government) to continue with the current system. I'm not sure FF would have undertook these reforms under the same circumstances.

There's no link available to the story.

Is this the first sign of real reform? Now if Minister Hogan were to reverse his decision not to go ahead with the independent review into planning irregularities in councils, one could almost believe that true reform is coming...