Local Authorities
Seanad Éireann — 2025-11-25
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Seán Canney (IND), Galway East

I concur with the Senator on the hard work done by our local councillors on the ground with very little recognition for it. Since the time I was a councillor, the workload has increased for a lot of councillors. We need to recognise that as well. If we want to engage with and attract more young people into politics, both male and female, it is important they have access to get into the politics of it.
I thank the Senator for his engagement on this matter and on the process that will see reform and strengthening of the local government sector, which is the beating heart of our democracy. The task force will build on the substantial body of work already completed by the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, the Seanad and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities reports. In this regard, I acknowledge the work of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee, chaired by the Cathaoirleach, Senator Mark Daly, and its report on the future of local democracy, which was published in 2024. It is important that we await the findings of the task force, which is chaired by Jim Breslin, who was appointed by the Minister. I too look forward to seeing the report because it is very important for democracy, and for every region and every town, that we have good democracy and plenty of engagement, so every town feels it is being represented and being heard as well, which is important. I thank the Senator.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-11-25/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:21+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-11-25