Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am concerned at the undermining of local democracy on a continuous basis. The strategic housing development was just the final straw in undermining local authorities, depleting them of staff and allowing staff to be moved all of the time. When they have acquired skill, suddenly they are moved. We removed the Waste Management Act. They have no power at all in relation to waste management. We have left the local authorities bereft of power and resources. We have managers in place who have corporatised according to Government policy, as opposed to having people who serve the communities.

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