A chara, – The system of participatory budgeting as a means of strengthening local democracy, as advocated by Clodagh Harris (Opinion, December 23rd), is very laudable. However, even if introduced in Ireland, its effectiveness would be greatly constrained by the fact that local government in Ireland has few worthwhile functions and very little control over its own budgets.
In Sweden, by contrast, most everyday public services (education, health, social and community welfare and facilities) are administered by local government and largely funded by local income tax. Central government focuses on national and international concerns.
Not only does this model provide a good foundation around which to develop participatory budgeting, but it also signals the direction towards which the Irish political system should be moving. The current system whereby national government is chosen from representatives elected largely on the basis of family background and local networks and issues, has always been dysfunctional and disastrously so in the current crisis. – Is mise,