Council seeks power to retain services

Cork County Council is writing to the Taoiseach asking him to allow local authorities the money and power to ensure further services are not lost to rural areas.

Councillors say it is the way forward for the Government if it fails to appoint a minister with responsibility for rural affairs.

Cllr Declan Hurley (Ind) won widespread support from colleagues when he said the absence from Cabinet of somebody who could fight for rural communities was a very retrograde step.