Mixed reactions in Kilkenny to upcoming local government reforms

Calls for a restoration of the Borough Council were not answered in the newly released report

Published 1st Aug 2026, 19:00 BST Kilkenny County Hall Calls for a restoration of the Borough Council were not answered in the newly released report Sign up to our Kilkenny Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kilkenny Live within your account.

The most sweeping reforms to local government since 2014 were announced this week with the publication of the Local Democracy Taskforce Report and the Government’s Implementation Plan, however, reaction has been mixed as to the effectiveness of the changes.

The report aims to strengthen community engagement and local decision making along with enhancing the policy role of elected members and although most stakeholders agree that a stronger local government system is required, opinion is more split on whether the upcoming reforms can effectively deliver this.

Debate over the return of town and borough councils which were removed in 2014 has occurred over recent weeks and while these won’t be making a comeback, new municipal councils in every local authority will attempt to give some power back to these areas while also bringing in hinterlands which were previously excluded.

Speaking about the report, Cllr John Coonan (FF) recognised that there was still plenty of work to be done in implementing the recommendations, but welcomed any initiatives aimed at giving power back at a local level.

Read More Kilkenny councillor speaks out: 'I was told I was being watched' Kilkenny farmers selected as Tirlán FarmElevate Lighthouse Farm Amended Kilkenny SUMP unanimously passed by County Council “To give a chance to the local representatives to have more power, to have teeth in what we do and the things we decide, is to be welcomed that’s for sure,” he said.

“Effectively, a lot of the things we had to give us the right to make decisions and have a bit of power were neutralised with the reform of local government.”

“Anything that will give us a bit more say in the decisions we make for our area is to be welcomed. All the i’s aren’t dotted and t’s aren’t crossed but it is a step and it’s going to take some time to do that,” he added.

Labour councillor in the city, Seán Ó hArgáin, felt the reforms didn’t go far enough and the lack of restoration for town and borough councils was a missed opportunity.

“I’m personally disappointed with it. To me it’s all rehashing of the fundamental mistakes that were made in 2014,” he asserted. I think in particular, the failure to address town and borough councils is a huge oversight and I think it should be revisited.”

“I don’t think that the municipal councils look any different to the municipal districts that we have and I’m concerned that they’re simply a renaming.”

“I think the biggest issue for me is the lack of transferring of any real powers,” he continued.

The plan is set to be implemented over a three year plan until June 2029 with municipal councils aimed to be in place by the next local elections and by Q4 of 2027 at the earliest.

Other central pillars of the plan include a more democratic government with enhanced roles for councillors in directing local priorities, greater engagement with local authorities by central government and local government that is more empowered with enhanced devolution.