The substance of community governance has been significantly eroded

Dear Editor,

As Limerick’s populace took the unprecedented step of directly electing their mayor, it served as a pilot test for political devolution, which could potentially expand to the rest of the country. It is my sincerest hope that this goes well for them.

This election resurrected the contentious issue of disbanding local councils back in 2014 – a populist action that seemed attractive at a time when less political bureaucracy seemed sensible, though this did not extend to reducing the number of Dáil representatives, which has only increased since then.

Now, a decade later, with many locales bearing the scars of economic and structural decay, I can’t help but question the wisdom behind the choice to remove power from the local communities in favour of unelected county representatives. This indeed now appears to have been rather myopic.

Evidence suggests that the dissolution of local councils had significant cost implications for places like Kilkenny and Clonmel, sometimes to the tune of millions of euros. This has had tangible effects, as evidenced by vacant high street shops, inadequate housing development, and poor urban planning decisions.

As Limerick begins to experience a taste of its previous structure, it may be time to contemplate the once-unthinkable: a return to local borough and town councils. These councils would empower local residents outside Dublin, whom the county managers have perhaps not served as optimally as they could have.

Yours faithfully,
Killian Foley-Walsh,
Kilkenny City.

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