They may have decimated local government in 2013, but you should remember the following: Local Voices Lead to Major Changes

“I make no apology for dedicating this page to the 949 Councillors elected by the direct vote of the Irish electorate to our 31 local authorities. As the most significant group of my electorate I pledge to you my continued support for all that you do.  You are the voice of your communities, and you must be heard.”

There has been a continuous attack on local government which started with the elimination of Urban district councils in 2002 and ended with the abolishment in 2014 of town councils, resulting in a single tier only of local government in the Republic of Ireland.

It has not stopped there.  Over the recent years there has been constant legislative changes impacting on the powers assigned to city and county councils.  Changes to planning, changes to the policing have all seen powers removed from local government representatives.

Senator Craughwell fully supports the findings of recent AILG research, and in particular Councillors’ Dynamic Roles:

• You have been revealed by the research, juggle multifaceted roles as advocates, problem-solvers, and civic leaders.

• Your dynamic responsibilities evolve rapidly, impacting your effectiveness in statutory and legislative capacities.

• Your representative roles have been under-recorded and under-valued, which they believe enable them to better perform their statutory / legislative roles.

Set out through the links on this page are just some of the advocacies Senator Gerard P Craughwell has undertaken on your behalf.  Starting with his very first issues of Councillors PAY and PRSI. “I will continue this work. You are my electorate, and I am here to defend your role, oppose legislation which is repugnant to the important role you play within your communities.”

Please browse the links below to see some of Senator Craughwell Seanad work in the area of Local Government, Local Authority Members.