The Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) and the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) today welcome the Government’s publication of the Local Democracy Taskforce Report and accompanying Government Implementation Plan.
The reforms provide a clear roadmap to strengthen local democracy in Ireland by giving elected councillors a stronger role in local decision-making, enhancing accountability within local authorities and improving the supports available to councillors as they represent their communities.
The report follows an extensive process involving elected members, local government representatives and key stakeholders. AILG and LAMA acknowledge the significant contribution made by councillors who participated throughout the Taskforce process, ensuring the experience and perspective of elected members helped shape the final recommendations.
Stronger Local Democracy
Among the report’s most significant recommendations are proposals to establish strengthened Municipal Councils across every local authority, expand the reserved functions of elected members, introduce new governance and oversight structures, strengthen Strategic Policy Committees, improve councillors’ influence over local budgets and reinforce the role of elected members in shaping local policy.
The report also recommends practical reforms that will support councillors in carrying out their representative role, including statutory response timeframes for councillor representations, improved access to information from public bodies, enhanced administrative supports and expanded education and professional development.
Delivering Reform
The accompanying Government Implementation Plan provides a clear pathway for delivering almost 80 individual actions and identifies AILG as a key delivery partner responsible for supporting implementation through the development of national education, training, research and technical supports for elected members.
AILG and LAMA welcome the Government’s commitment to progressing early actions that will strengthen engagement between national and local government and reinforce the principle that decisions should be taken as close as possible to the communities they affect.
Commenting on the publication, AILG President Cllr. Mary Hanna Hourigan said:
“This is a landmark day for local democracy in Ireland. The publication of the Local Democracy Taskforce Report and the accompanying Government Implementation Plan represents the most significant programme of local government reform in a generation and reflects the substantial contribution made by councillors throughout the Taskforce process.
“For the first time, we have a clear roadmap to strengthen the role of elected members, enhance local decision-making and ensure local communities have a stronger voice in shaping the future of their areas.
“This isn’t about giving councillors more power for its own sake. It’s about ensuring the people local communities elect have the authority, supports and tools they need to deliver better outcomes for the communities they represent.
“The commitment to early implementation of national-local government engagement structures is particularly significant. It recognises that councillors should have a more meaningful voice in how national policy is implemented at local level, helping to ensure that implementation is informed by local knowledge and delivers better outcomes for citizens.
“The real work begins now. AILG is committed to working with Government, LAMA and our local government partners to ensure these reforms are successfully delivered for councillors and, most importantly, for the communities they serve.”
LAMA Chairperson Cllr. Damien Ryan said:
“The publication of the Implementation Plan is particularly important because it turns ambition into action. It provides a credible framework for strengthening local government through reforms to governance, devolution and the policy-making role of elected members.
“The report also recognises that the role of councillors continues to evolve and places greater responsibility on elected members across many aspects of local government. As these reforms are implemented, it will be important that councillors are properly supported so they can continue to deliver effectively for their communities.
“LAMA looks forward to continuing to work alongside AILG, Government and the wider local government sector to help deliver these reforms and strengthen local democracy.”
Looking Ahead
AILG and LAMA remain committed to working with Government and the wider local government sector to ensure these reforms are successfully implemented and that local democracy continues to evolve in a way that delivers better outcomes for communities throughout Ireland.
Mary Hanna Hourigan Damien Ryan
_______________________ ____________________________
Cllr. Mary Hanna Hourigan Cllr. Damien Ryan
President AILG Chairperson LAMA
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Editorial Note: Cllr. Mary Hanna Hourigan is AILG President at the time of publication of this press release. AILG’s Annual General Meeting, including the election of the Association’s President for the coming year, will take place on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
For media enquiries:
For all media queries or interview requests please contact:
Elaine Lynch, AILG (087-3470274 | Email:e.lynch@ailg.ie ) or
Tommy Moylan, AILG (086-8236386 | Email: t.moylan@ailg.ie )
The Association of Irish Local Government (AILG)
The Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) is the national representative body for Ireland’s 949 city and county councillors. AILG supports elected members through policy development, advocacy, education and training, while promoting strong and effective local democracy.
_________________________________________________________________________________
The Local Authority Members Association (LAMA)
The Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) is the representative body comprising members from all 31 local authorities and works to promote and strengthen local government throughout Ireland.
_________________________________________________________________________________