Donegal Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Government proposals "fly in the face of what Donegal County Council is trying to achieve through its decentralisation policy" - Mayor

Published: 23 July, 2010

Government proposals "fly in the face of what Donegal County Council is trying to achieve through its decentralisation policy" - Mayor

The mayor of Donegal, Cllr Cora Harvey has said that some of the proposals in a new document recommending reform of county and city councils "fly in the face of what Donegal County Council is trying to achieve through its decentralisation policy."
The Local Government Efficiency Review Group's report is seeking savings of half a billion euro.

The Mayor said the emphasis locally has been on ensuring that services are provided to as many people as possible but these recommendations fly in the face of that commitment.

"Whilst we would all welcome cost savings and greater efficiencies in Local Government, I still feel that some of the proposals contained in the report are scandalous.

"A proposition to penalise, with a levy, those who choose to pay their road tax at Public Service Centres rather than online is disgraceful and short sighted. A lot of people in Donegal do not have access to a computer and don't have credit or laser card. Of course this proposal does not take into consideration many people who are unable to use computer."

Mayor Harvey also said:

"The other proposal I would be very much opposed to is the idea of a toll being introduced on motorists who use our national road network. This is just plain crazy. What we need is a massive investment into our roads infrastructure in order to make them safer. We don't need another stealth tax. Motorists already pay enough for our roads through their road tax."

Mayor Harvey concluded by saying that this report published today does not auger well for the people of Donegal

"All too often we have been promised reform and ended up with the life-blood being sucked out of local government. We must and will resist any reforms that dilute our right to equal representation. "

Contact Cora @ 0872653833