Mayo could see more councillors as local government set for reform

A major reform of Ireland’s local government system has been set in motion with the establishment of a new Taskforce chaired by former Secretary General Jim Breslin.

South Mayo councillor Damien Ryan and Castlebar native Paddy Mahon, Chief Executive of Longford County Council and County and City Management Association are members of the Taskforce.

The Taskforce, announced by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD, will examine the structure, governance, and funding of local authorities, with a particular focus on strengthening the role and powers of elected councillors. 

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Among its key objectives, the Taskforce will consider the principle of subsidiarity — ensuring decisions are made at the most local level possible — and assess the potential for devolving more decision-making authority to councillors. It will also review the framework and powers of Municipal Districts and Area Committees, with an eye to enhancing their effectiveness.
The Terms of Reference, approved by the Government, include reviewing the ratio of local authority members to population and exploring avenues to increase diversity in local political representation.

The Taskforce will draw extensively on expertise from across the local government sector. Its membership includes representatives of elected members' organisations, local authority executives, the National Oversight and Audit Commission, the Local Government Management Agency, the Local Government Audit Service, and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Independent experts will also contribute.

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Minister Browne welcomed the formation of the Taskforce, stating: “Our local government is essential to our democracy as a country. It must be robust, it must be supported, and it should be representative of our communities. It’s essential that the structures of our local government are strengthened.

“The establishment of the Taskforce is a significant step along the path to delivering important reform in the local government sector. The Terms of Reference for the Taskforce, agreed by the Government, set out an ambitious programme.
“I wish all the members well in the task they have taken on — it will be work that will stand to every single county in the coming years.”

Cllr Damian Ryan, Chairperson of the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA), also welcomed the initiative, highlighting the importance of councillors’ lived experience in shaping the reform process:
“Their appointment ensures that the lived experience of councillors, and the everyday realities we face on the ground, will be front and centre in this vital national reform process. This is a Taskforce shaped not from the top down, but by the voices of those directly elected by communities.“The work of this Taskforce must lead to stronger powers, clearer roles, and better resources for councillors across the country — and we are confident that our representatives will make that case powerfully and constructively.”The Taskforce is expected to deliver its recommendations in the coming months, laying the groundwork for a more empowered, representative, and responsive system of local governance across Ireland.