Fine Gael must end parish pump politics

AN early test of Fine Gael’s commitment to real political reform will be whether it rescinds the extraordinarily undemocratic rule (introduced by Fianna Fáil) whereby political parties can “co-opt” unelected people onto town and county councils where former councillors have been elected to the Dáil.

This practice has also been brazenly exploited by some politicians who ensure family members are imposed on councils, thus further entrenching and promoting the disastrous culture of Irish political nepotism and cronyism.

Some 50 former town and county councillors have now been elected to Dáil Eireann. It would be an insult for so many local seats to be in the gift of political parties rather than the electorate as they are properly intended to be.

If there is to be a beginning of an end to “parish pump” and dubious, if not illegal, planning-permission politics, these seats should be filled by a proper democratic vote during the forthcoming local elections in May.

Miriam Cotton

Clonakilty

Co Cork