Half-baked council reform plan

The public response, thus far, to Minister Hogan’s proposals to abolish town councils and replace them with municipal authorities has been understandably muted.

Indeed, it is likely to remain so unless and until the minister has the basic courtesy to inform both the councillors and the electorate of what is involved in the so -called radical overhaul of local democracy. It is exceedingly difficult to formulate a coherent response, individually or collectively, in the absence of precise details of what is proposed.

There have been town council meetings that were long-winded and lacked focus, but those factors would not necessarily differentiate them from the happenings on occasions in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Minister Hogan speaks without definition of municipal areas. He fails to state the extent of the areas or of the scope of their executive authority. He speaks of the entitlement of each county to generate some of its own funding through the imposition of a household charge. He fails to be precise on who the collectors and dispensers will be. Neither has he stated whether or not there will be a corresponding reduction in income tax payment, or what households, if any, will be exempt from the household charge.

Speaking as a member of Killarney Town Council I believe that the wonderful improvement in the overall appearance of the entire area is due primarily to the fact that the council exists to give focus, leadership and finance to projects that enrich and enhance. The local and national economy have benefited greatly from all that has resulted. The abolition of the council will undoubtedly impact adversely on Killarney’s ability to improve and progress. There will be a greater need for voluntary effort as there will be less finance available due to the demands of the municipal area.

Maybe when the full detail of all that is involved becomes known the public will become concerned and somewhat alarmed. Or has the shambles begotten of banks, big business and incompetent national politicians dulled our senses to the extent that most of us feel powerless and forgotten? Because I am a member of Kerry County Council I do not receive the standard €4,000 per annum from the town’s coffers. The total amount paid to the town councillors in Killarney, including the mayor and deputy mayor’s allowance, does not exceed €60,000 from an overall annual expenditure of € 13,642,924.

The minister has done us all a grave disservice by presenting a half- baked plan to a beleaguered and disaffected public.

Cllr Michael Gleeson

Clasheen

Cill Áirne

Co Ciarrai