Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

As the Minister realises, Ireland has the most centralised government in Europe and one of the Continent's most ineffective local government structures. I am not sure the measures to which the Minister referred will significantly change that position. Does the Government plan to return some power to citizens? There is a substantial gap between citizens and politics. The former do not feel represented because the councillors they elect at local level have virtually no authority. Other than having a say on the development plan, most of the work of a councillor involves representation and lobbying on behalf of constituents. Does the Government have any appetite for real reform of local government to provide it with proper funding to invest in people friendly areas such as crèches, education and health, as is the case in most local authority systems elsewhere in Europe, or will this country remain among the most centralised in Europe?

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