Reform the system before pouring more funds into it

DURING my almost seven years as a councillor, by far the most common issue that was raised by the general public was that of money being wasted.

Reports of tarmac being thrown into potholes full of water, newly upgraded multimillion-euro sewage treatment plants malfunctioning and perfect footpaths being re-tarred after only 12 months were among many issues of waste which were brought to my attention.

Now if you were running a private company and customers were consistently pointing out where waste was occurring, you would thank them for saving you money. This is not the case when dealing with a local authority. Far from thanking you, they in fact do the opposite.