We need to re-examine democracy at local level

The citizens of this country are quite within their rights to assemble peacefully in public and to advertise such public meetings without risk of prosecution. Or do we?

Recently, somebody in Cork County Council decided we don’t. Council staff disrupted local community efforts to organise a public meeting by removing posters advertising the meeting, posters that were legally posted in public areas.

But then, our local representatives seem to have gone into hiding when it comes to any discussion regarding Irish Water. When I did get hold of one recently, the advice I was offered was “back off Paddy, there are more important issues”.