Local Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne has introduced the Local Government Cities Bill 2026, also known as the City Status Bill.
The Bill will, for the first time, put legislation in place allowing large towns to apply for city status once they meet specific criteria.
Commenting on the introduction of the Bill, Deputy Byrne said: I stood for election on the platform of elevating City Status for Drogheda and this is the first piece of work I undertook when I started in Leinster House. I’m delighted that after 13 months of work with the OPLA Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisors, I now have a City Status Bill finalised, having been drafted and proofed by the Oireachtas legal advisors.
She said recent reforms had weakened local government without providing a pathway to city designation. The government’s local government reforms in 2001, 2014 has led to a downgrade of local government, and more centralisation of powers. But still there was no formal process that could lead to city status.
Deputy Byrne said the Drogheda City Status Campaign was central to her work on the Bill. When I started this process, it was done the Drogheda City Status Campaign to the forefront of my mind. This is something I’m very supportive of and passionate about and believe it’s crucial to Drogheda realising its full potential.
She explained that if the legislation is passed, it would have a direct impact on Drogheda’s governance. If this Bill receives enough support in the Dáil and Seanad and becomes an Act, Drogheda will become the Municipal District of Drogheda City.
Deputy Byrne said city status is essential to securing fair investment. City Status is crucial to ensure Drogheda receives proper investment in infrastructure, services, and jobs, rather than being treated merely as a commuter town.
She also highlighted her ongoing engagement with local campaigners. Since I first became a Councillor and now a TD, I have worked with the Drogheda City Status Group to progress this.
While acknowledging the scale of challenges facing the town, she said the Bill represents an important first step. I don’t claim to have a magic wand that will wave a magic dust over Drogheda and fix everything we have all been wanting for years, but I do believe we now have a mechanism which is a first step on a pathway to greater things.
Deputy Byrne said she hopes the Bill will receive cross party support. I also don’t claim to have a monopoly on City Status, and considering this is something all political representatives locally have advocated for at different stages, and continue to work towards, I hope that all parties and none will support this bill.
Concluding, she said the legislation could benefit other towns across the country.
The same criteria contained in the bill can be used for other large towns throughout the state to apply for city status for their respective areas.
Drogheda City Status Group.
This is a momentous day in the campaign for city status for Drogheda. We thank and congratulate Drogheda woman Deputy Joanna Byrne for her dedication to producing this draft bill. It provides a clear legislative pathway for the creation of new cities in Ireland, with Drogheda as its model. DCSG Chair Anna McKenna said: “This is a finally a way forward for Drogheda to be awarded city status
Ged Nash TD
Ged Nash TD said; “This is a welcome initiative and an important contribution to the debate. We in Labour included a pathway to city status for large urban centres like Drogheda in our manifesto, and Joanna’s Bill very much aligns with that. We hope the legislation is selected for debate in the Dáil and we will fully support this, and any other initiatives from any party that advances the interests of Drogheda.”
