The Local Government Bill, now before the Seanad, is a poor thing, a shadow of what was originally intended. Eight years ago, Fianna Fáil pledged to introduce comprehensive reform of local government and to make it more responsive and accountable to the community at large.
In May 2000, it finally published a Bill containing proposals for directly-elected mayors and council cathaoirligh and the ending of the dual mandate, requiring TDs and senators to resign their local authority seats. A year later, following threats from Independent TDs and Fianna Fáil backbenchers, the legislation was withdrawn. Now it is back, but still under attack from worried TDs and senators.
The Bill no longer provides for the direct election of mayors and council chairmen, because of party political fears that charismatic "outsiders" might benefit from the change. And its reintroduction owes a great deal to the determination of single-mandate Fianna Fáil councillors to get rid of their double-jobbing Oireachtas colleagues.
In the intervening years, the power of unelected city and county managers has been enhanced by the Coalition Government in a number of contentious areas, including waste-disposal and the imposition of charges. Such policy U-turns have meant little to the TDs and senators who oppose the legislation. Their concern has been to retain their council seats so that their local authority activities would continue to generate votes in national elections. Failing that, they wish to nominate their successors - normally a wife, son or daughter - to councils as protection against political rivals. And, finally, they demand that local authority managers and officials should be obliged to keep them informed on current business and to answer their queries in the event of the dual mandate being abolished.
The backbench revolt has not been confined to Fianna Fáil. Mr Michael Ring has openly rejected Fine Gael party policy and is threatening to lead a Supreme Court challenge to the legislation, if it is passed. There are also opponents within Labour.
Under pressure, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Cullen, has agreed to introduce regulations that would grant Oireachtas members access to information on local authority business. But the question of nominating a successor will be a matter between sitting councillors and their parties.
The dual mandate should be ended. But it must mark the beginning of broad political reform. Because council, health board and other local authority meetings are on Mondays and Fridays, the Dáil and Seanad do not sit on those days. Passage of this Bill should usher in a formal, five-day week for Oireachtas members. And the Government must show greater regard for parliament by making important announcements there and by having shorter holiday periods.