A chara, – Richard Barton (August 19th) argues that local councillors should be looking after local “parish pump” issues. I agree. The problem is that local councillors in Ireland have fewer powers than any of our colleagues in Europe and backbench TDs are equally less able to direct national policy than their fellow European parliamentarians. This forces politicians to act as advocates and social workers on behalf of constituents who feel that they have a legitimate concern but where those in positions of power have not responded.
Addressing this requires real powers being given to local councils, including control over local property taxes as well as areas such as education, policing and transport, as in most of Europe. This would mean that local elections would see debate over local issues and more people might be interested in serving on their local councils.
Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan has an opportunity with local government reform legislation this autumn to give real power to local elected councils. However, his record to date on devolving power has been poor. Indeed, in his transfer of responsibility for water services from councils to Irish Water, means that we’re not even in charge of the parish pump any more. – Is mise,
Cllr MALCOLM BYRNE,
The Chase,
Gorey, Co Wexford.