Seamus Rodgers.
A LOCAL election candidate is calling for changes to current structural set-up of county and city councils saying they are antiquated.
Labour candidate Glenties Electoral Area, Mr Seamus Rodgers has said the widening of local government functions cannot be achieved under current structures.
Mr Rodgers said: “Our system of County and City Councils belongs to the 19th century. Ireland has changed dramatically since the map of our local government system was drawn over a hundred years ago.
“Settlement patterns, living standards, lifestyles and social needs are totally changed, it is time to move on from the model of local administration which was designed to rule over a subject people.”
The Annagry politician said government should be mapped and organised to ensure that the citizen has access to the highest quality cost effective public services.
He said: “The re-mapping should be based on the wishes of the people and should be preceded by a public consultation process which would consider the varying options which are possible.
“The right to vote at local elections should be reduced to 16 years. Many of the services delivered by local authorities are used by young people.
“These include parks, sporting facilities, libraries, cycle ways etc. The number of such services will increase if local authorities are given new devolved functions in areas such as education.”
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