Ballina Town Council united about abolition

Ballina Town Council united about abolition


Ciara Galvin

“When smaller groups and local government work together politics goes out the window.” That was the view of Ballina Town Council Cathaoirleach Johnnie O’Malley (Fianna FΡil) at last week’s Ballina Town Council monthly meeting. Cllr O’Malley proposed a notice of motion suggesting that the abolish of town councils be left to “the will of the people.”
The abolition of town councils is to come into effect as of June 2014.
Cllr O’Malley said he had seen how the County Council had worked and that it was ‘one side against the other’.
“It’s points-scoring between either side, that gives officials an easy time. Here, politics has been left outside the door,” stated O’Malley.
The Cathaoirleach said a vote in relation to the abolition should be put to people in every town council area in the country in conjunction with the next local elections which would ensure ‘no extra expense’.
Cllr Mary Kelly (Independent) seconded the motion adding that she did not accept the €20 million cost saving which was being ‘bandied about’.
“Let the people decide. I’m all for reform, but total abolition of town councils without any consultation...It’s a dictatorship,” stated Cllr Kelly.
Cllr Gerry Ginty (Independent) said he agreed with a vote being put to the electorate but questioned only putting the vote to people living in urban areas, stating that he wasn’t sure how it would work out.
“The Government could have cut down huge amount of money from councillors waste on junkets around the country. Most councillors would serve without remuneration.”
Cllr Peter Clarke (Independent) also supported the motion and stated that the abolition of the town council gave more power to the government and county council, “and that’s not good for Ballina.”
Fianna FΡil Cllr Francis McAndrew described the abolition as a ‘form of bullying’ adding that “any abolition will be to the detriment of those towns.”
Former Cathaoirleach Willie Nolan (Fianna FΡil) noted that town councils were “the closest thing to democracy on the ground”.
“We do need reform but abolition is not reform,” said Cllr Nolan.
Fine Gael Cllr Mark Winters put forward his support for the motion but questioned the legality of only putting a vote to people living in urban areas.