Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is a well known fact that we in Ireland are the most unrepresented country in the whole of the EU in terms of local government. On average, it takes approximately 2,500 people to elect one councillor in this country compared with 1,000 people to elect a councillor in Denmark and much fewer than that in most other countries, in particular France. The UK, which is second to us, is a good bit behind us. There was some levity in the Chamber this morning following the announcement by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, but I am not laughing and neither are the people of the towns of this country laughing. I am concerned and have a genuine worry about democracy in this country at the hands of the current coalition Government.