Scrap county councillors

Notwithstanding many excellent persons serving as county councillors, this Victorian, administrative system of local authority, especially in a small country such as Ireland, has outlived itself.

In the light of the current, controversial efforts to curtail current expenditure why not abolish the present system of electing county councillors?

Local authorities would function as well, if not better in the absence of county councillors.

Savings would be made in areas such as:

* Local travel and subsistence expenses.

* Expenses incurred in attending international/local conferences.

* Holding meetings, elections, functions; emoluments

Another obvious way to curtail expenditure would be to reduce the number of county councils to about six. The present system is ridiculous for our small population.

Likewise the Senate should be abolished.

It has little or no useful purpose — a talking shop, a stepway for many (like the county councils) along the pathway to the Dáil, or a second home for failed TDs.

The problem is, of course, that politicians — no matter how honourable they may be — will not inflict any damage to themselves. Dog does not eat dog.

Or, as the Gaelic proverb has it: ni dháanann an síonnach a chac ar a dhoras féin.

If our State were run by businesspeople they would cut off loss-makers, instead of inflicting serious harm on the poor.

So how about it Taoiseach — that is if you are really serious?

C F Ó hUallacháin

Deilginis

Co Átha Cliath