Fine Gael plan gives more power to councillors

A RADICAL new plan to give more powers to local councillors and give directly-elected mayors 100,000 a year is being drafted by Fine Gael.

The local government reform package is also proposing a reduction in the powers of city and county managers.

Fine Gael is also recommending the introduction of a community policing scheme to be controlled by city and county councils. Serious crime, such as murder and rape, would still be investigated by a specialist crime squad.