The Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, and the Coalition Government, will face a major test of their determination and competence next week when their long-promised reform programme for local government comes before the Dail. The Bill was published last May but was put into cold storage because of resistance from some Fianna Fail backbenchers and from the four Independent TDs who support the Government. Even now, there is no firm commitment to push the reforms through the Oireachtas. It is possible the Government may drop the most contentious sections of the Bill when it reaches the Committee Stage of debate, in order to appease its critics.
The issue which is threatening to derail the legislation is the proposed separation of local and national government and the ending of the "dual mandate" whereby some local councillors are also elected to the Dail and Seanad. This separation of functions lies at the heart of a package of reforms designed to transfer more powers to local government, while encouraging Oireachtas members to concentrate on their legislative and oversight roles through Dail and Seanad debates and the various committee. Traditionally, rural TDs and Senators built their power bases around membership of local authorities and specialised in parish pump politics because they were used primarily as ["]lobby fodder["] by their parties in the Oireachtas. As their roles changed at national level, however, some have been reluctant to give up local politics. They feared being undermined by party colleagues at local level; the loss of financial perks, and the possible loss of their Dail and Seanad seats.
The Coalition Government's reform programme would be a poor thing without this central element. Enhancing the role of elected council members, supporting community involvement and underpinning local government renewal are commendable objectives in themselves. And constitutional recognition was accorded to local authorities two years ago. But if the dual mandate is allowed to continue, with its in-built inequality, the promised new start for local government could be seriously undermined. The capacity of the Coalition Government to get things done will come under close scrutiny when the legislation is debated by the Dail. The four Independent TDs have told the Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, they will oppose the measure, even though they were offered a compromise that would phase out the dual mandate for existing holders by 2009, instead of 2004 as provided for under the Bill. The Government would certainly get the legislation through if it sought support from the opposition benches. But it may not take that option because of its long-term dependence on the four Independents. By bringing the Local Government Bill before the Dail at this stage, before agreement has been reached with its Dail supporters, the Coalition Government has embarked on a delicate balancing act. The Minister for the Environment needs to push through the reforms if he is to retain credibility with the public.