Some may scorn them, but residents' associations are one of the most powerful movements in modern suburbia, speaking on behalf of large numbers of people - most of whom are too busy or apathetic to speak for themselves.

They wield considerable clout with local authorities, businesses, etc, which will always take seriously the views of a committee claiming to represent a large community. But is this at the expense of the individual's rights? While a Garda spokesman insists that "all complaints are taken seriously - whether from an individual or a group representing a large number of people", politicians often use residents' associations as a gauge of public opinion.

"I believe we do have more clout because we're a recognised group," says Adrienne Murray, chairperson of Loughlinstown Community Group, which represents about 1,300 local authority houses in south Dublin and is well respected (even by cynics like me).

She points out that while individual residents had often complained of being ignored by the local authority in the past, "we found that, as a large group, we got a response. Council officials would always return our calls."

But there was a less-than-neighbourly feeling in the community last year when a group of residents from three streets set up a group of their own - because they believed their views were not being represented by the community council.

The rift appeared when the community council decided to support proposals for an Eastern Health Board drug clinic in the area, a decision it based on the results of a door-to-door survey, in which more than 50 per cent of respondents said they were in favour of the clinic's location.

This angered residents of Loughlinstown Park, Wood and Drive, who set up their own group. "We felt that the community council had got involved and were backing the clinic, but it was right beside our houses and two schools," says Debbie Byrne, a committee member of the combined residents of Loughlinstown Park, Wood and Drive group. The community council later decided to back the combined residents in their opposition to the clinic's location (which is still in limbo).

The Dun Laoghaire Combined Residents' Association has always been a strong, unified voice in its area - and its chairperson, Pat Walsh, believes that putting forward a "united front" is more effective than campaigning as individuals. "As a group, we join forces with the Chamber of Commerce, trades-people and residents, and it definitely means we would have more influence than individuals."

They are currently campaigning to have disc parking introduced. They represent about 1,000 houses and attendance at meetings varies from 10 people to more than 50, depending on the issues on the agenda.

Unlike some residents' groups, the Dun Laoghaire Combined Residents' Association meets only when there's a major issue to be discussed.

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council's area community officer, Tom Mowlds points out that while individuals are given due consideration and are entitled to contact the local authority directly without belonging to a group, residents' associations "tend to be well organised" and know how to avail of procedures such as the special monthly deputation meetings, in which communities decide the agenda and the council listens. He says community groups representing four areas within the county have been chosen to take part in a Tenants' Participation Scheme to give local people more power in their neighbourhoods.