Donegal Deputy Charles Ward has said that county councillors should have more power at local level.
On Monday, four members of the 100% Redress Party staged a walk-out from the council’s housing meeting in protest over the lack of government action on defective concrete blocks. Councillors expressed frustration over the lack of any confirmation that the Housing Minister will be visiting Donegal.
The walk-out was raised in Dáil Éireann yesterday by Deputy Charles Ward who said that there is a lack of engagement on housing at council level.
The Donegal Deputy said: “The lack of action by the Council and by the Minister for Housing on housing issues in Donegal, particularly on the defective concrete crisis, is extremely frustrating.”
He stated: “There is a complete disconnect between the Department of Housing in Dublin and Donegal. It is clear to me that the government is too far removed from this issue.”
The 100% Redress Party TD has called on the government to expand the remit of local authorities and give more power to county councillors.
Deputy Ward said: “Decisions being made at local level, regarding regional issues, such as defective concrete, should be made by elected representatives in the area, and not by government appointed staff. County councillors should serve as decision makers, not be forced to act as opposition in their own councils.”
