LOCAL REACTION:COUNCILLORS IN Cork and Galway expressed mixed feelings about the overhaul of local government, but many town councillors voiced anger at the decision.
The Fine Gael mayor of Loughrea, Cllr Geraldine Bane, admitted she had mixed emotions about the decision to axe their local town council.
“I am not sure if these reforms are the answer: we’ll just have to wait and see. Reform was needed without a doubt, but I am just not sure if all of the people will now be represented,” she said.
“We all knew there was an announcement on the way and in some ways it has come as a bit of a relief to find out the extent of the changes. It is not a shock and at least the word is out there now.”
The mayor of Ballinasloe, Cllr Carmel Grealey (Independent) criticised the move. She was particularly worried that local rates would now increase as each town did not have control.
“It is a death knell to local democracy. I am extremely disappointed because we were given to understand that there would be changes, but that the town councils – particularly a strong council like Ballinasloe – would be retained,” she said.
Mayor of Tuam, Cllr Eamonn Kitt, a brother of former ministers Áine Brady, Tom and Michael Kitt, said he was shocked and very disappointed to hear Tuam Town Council was to be abolished.
“I know there was frustration that the town council had no official powers, but the body served as a forum for the community where issues of concern to the people of the town could be raised and discussed,” he said.
Former Cork East Labour TD, John Mulvhill, who later sat on Cobh Town Council, said the move was disappointing as it marked a move away from the devolution of power to local areas.
Vivian O’Callaghan jnr who served on Bantry Town Commissioners and later Bantry Town Council from 1999 to 2009 expressed regret over the erosion of local representation, while recognising the limits of the system.
Mayor of Tralee Johnny Wall (FF) said “We thought he (Minister Hogan) was committed to town councils. I am upset. We are all upset. Councillors from outside Tralee will not have the same interest, the same links. I think the town councillors do a great job.”
The mayor of Killarney Seán O’Grady (Labour) yesterday said it was a step backwards.
A member of Killarney Town Council for 39 years, Cllr O’Grady said: “The problems and challenges associated with people living in close proximity to one another differ fundamentally from those who live in rural areas.”
He found it “astonishing” that while most of Europe was giving more recognition to towns as entities “they are abolishing town councils here”.
