Seanad Public Consultation Committee holds third public hearing on the Future of Local Democracy

The meeting, which will take place in the Seanad Chamber, will consist of a morning session (10:30am to 12:30pm) and afternoon session (1:30pm to 4:30pm).

In the morning session, the Committee will engage with Mayors and Cathaoirligh of local authorities, and individual councillors who made submissions to the Committee, focusing on the four local authorities in Dublin.

In the afternoon session, the Committee will engage with representative organisations and groups invited by the Committee to attend public hearings, including Fórsa, the PPN Secretariat Network, the Irish Delegation to the EU Committee of the Regions and the Association of Irish Regions. The Committee will also engage with a number of councillors and members of the public.

Ahead of the meeting, the Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Seanad, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Committee, Senator Mark Daly said: “On behalf of the Committee, I once again express our thanks to all who made a submission on this very important topic and to those who have engaged in the public hearing phase of this consultation so far. These contributions are very valuable to us, as a Committee, in highlighting the issues of greatest concern and more importantly, in identifying recommendations on how they may be addressed.”

The Rapporteur for the consultation, Senator Shane Cassells added: “The Committee has identified several key challenges facing local democracy, including the changes arising from local government reform in recent years, as well as the more challenging environment those involved in local government are experiencing. I wish to echo the Chairperson’s gratitude to all who have engaged, and I very much look forward to our discussions with councillors, organisations, and members of the public at this week’s hearing.”

The Committee expects to continue public hearings towards the summer, with the aim of compiling a draft report and recommendations, which it will publish in due course.

These hearings represent the current stage of the Committee’s process, following the public notice calling for submissions that was published in July 2023.