Deputy Phil Hogan has called for increased accountability and more responsibility in local politics.
The Fine Gael frontbencher told Fine Gael candidates at his party Ard Fheis that local politics will have to be more democratic, accountable and responsible for more functions at local level.
“All local agents as far as possible, including Leader/partnership companies, county and city enterprise boards, and the community Budget of FÁS should come under the remit of local government”, he said.
“It was clear for many years that many people in local communities will not get involved in local Government due to lack of power, finance and functions under the present system.
“The Minister for Environment, John Gormley, has promised reform in local Government but has not spelled out his policy commitments that have been agreed with his partners in
Government, Fianna Fáil. Another opportunity in the context of the forthcoming local elections has been missed to implement radical change in local Government that will help to have our services interact with our citizens.”
