Madam, - Your Editorial of March 3rd and Cllr Dermot Lacey's letter of March 4th on funding local government raise important questions. Both contributions are probably too hard on the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Cllr Lacey's statement that "central government decided to remove domestic rates" does not reflect reality. In 1977 the majority of voters in a general election supported the funding of local government from central funds rather than from a property tax such as rates. That decision has, to my knowledge, not been put to the people for revision since.
The shortfall in local government funding derives from the electorate's decision in 1977 and not from unilateral action by government.
Given the pressure to maintain a low-tax economy and the antipathy to local politics generated by tribunal revelations, I do not see that decision being reversed in the near future.
Meanwhile, the under-funding of local government, about which your Editorial and Cllr Lacey complains, will continue. In addition, local charges, many of which are very regressive forms of taxation, will continue to be introduced. - Yours, etc,
A. LEAVY,
Shielmartin Drive,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.
A chara, - The under-funding of local government funding is one of those issues in Irish political life that tend to be sidelined. It has resulted in us having local administration rather than real local government. Councils tend to tick along, holding the begging bowl out to central government and then hammering local businesses for the shortfall.
As public representatives, we have to be honest and say what everyone knows must happen. We need to introduce a proper local tax. It should be fair and equitable and based on the ability to pay. It should be offset against income or business taxes so that an individual or company does not pay more, but just pays the same amount it in a different manner. Local government will benefit when it has control over its revenues and the public will take more interest in where such money is being spent.
Minister Dick Roche should establish a cross-party grouping to reach consensus on bringing such changes into being. I would even suggest including Cllr Dermot Lacey, who is committed to addressing this issue - unlike his own Labour party, which is opportunistically opposed to most means of revenue-raising for local government but is happy to spend, spend, spend. - Is mise,
Cllr MALCOLM BYRNE,
(Fianna Fáil),
Gorey,
Co Wexford.