Public to have greater power in local government

The public will soon have a greater say in how the Government runs their local communities.

The Taskforce on Active Citizenship is holding a number of public seminars throughout the country from next week.

People are invited to attend and to give the group suggestions on how the Government can improve on policies to benefit their communities.

The taskforce will then meet the Taoiseach in January and present a report to him.

Chairperson Mary Davis is confident Bertie Ahern will take the suggestions on board.

"I believe the Government will follow up on what needs to be done on the feedback that they received from the public,” she said.

“So I think it's a great opportunity that presents itself for people right around the country to voice their opinions and their views.”