THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS on local government including the proposal to abolish urban based councils was described as a retrograde step by Councillor Declan Bree when he spoke on the matter at meetings of the Borouhc council and County Council this month

"The proposal to abolish town councils and local self government in Irish towns is a retrograde step." he said   "I am aware that the government wants to divert taxpayers money to pay off the private debts of bankers, developers and bondholders, but there is no evidence to show that the abolition of town government will save money; in fact it will further reduce the level of accountability in the entire administration of local government.  This is at a time when we particularly need accountability, openness and transparency

"Recognising that the purpose of local government is to promote the well being and quality of life of citizens and communities, through effective, accountable and democratic representation and efficient performance and delivery of services at a local level I have to say, that in common with many other local elected representatives I was extremely disappointed with the proposals on local government put forward by Minister Hogan and the government and particularly with the failure to devolve any additional real power to local government.

"Instead of the devolution of powers from central to local government this government is further weakening local self government in this county." said Cllr Bree.

"The decision to reduce the number of councils to 31 means that in Ireland there will be a council for every 145,000 citizens.    In Luxembourg there is a council for every 4,200 citizens; in Belgium there is a council for every 18,000 citizens; in Germany there is a council for every 6,400 citizens; in France there is a council for every 1,700 people.    What Minister Hogan and the government is proposing here is incredible – it makes a mockery of the whole concept of local self government and local democracy.

"I would also point out that in recent years elected councillors have consistently lost powers over road plans, waste management plans, and many planning functions.  Even the decisive role which councils once had over their Annual Budget and over City and County Development Plans has been greatly diminished.   At the same time Managers and senior officials have been given new powers, which are bordering on the dictatorial.

"It is obvious that the local government management system as operated in this country has contributed to an extremely weak local political system.  Council officials do not have a political mandate to represent the local community while local elected representatives do not have the responsibilities or structures to optimise a strong local leadership role.  

"I have always made the point that all decisions affecting local communities should be taken by elected councillors.

"In most European countries functions such as Education, Health, Policing, Transport and Traffic are normally delivered and overseen by City, County, Regional and Local Authorities.

"However Local Government, as it is normally known in the rest of Europe, actually doesn’t exist in Ireland.   At best we have a system of local administration, through which Managers and officials make the executive decisions for our cities, counties and towns.   This system was established in the 19th century when we were still the subjects of a foreign monarch.   Yet Minister Hogan and the government are taking no real or substantive measures to change that.

"The fact is that elected councillors in Ireland have very little power compared those involved in local government in other jurisdictions.  The government’s current proposals now confirm that Ireland has the weakest system of Local Government in the European Union." said Cllr Bree.