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The report recommends that water
charges on holiday homes and property tax on second homes be
introduced as a much-needed method of supplementing local authority
income. The report predicts that local authorities will face a
financial shortfall of €1.5 billion by 2010.
Green Party Environment spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe said, "I believe
that if we want effective local government and efficient local
services we have to pay for it.
"I had hoped that Minister Roche would have the courage to implement
the report's recommendations, but it seems that yet again the
Minister is shying away from taking necessary action for reasons of
political expediency. Once again local government will be the victim
of political games at a national level.
"The massive predicted shortfall of €1.5 billion facing local
authorities will not be come out of nowhere. It is fundamentally
inefficient if local government has to go 'cap in hand' to
government for any significant investment.
"Fifteen years ago the Barrington Report highlighted the necessity
of strengthening local democracy. To date little has changed.
Ireland remains one of the most centralised states in the developed
world.
"It is crucial that democracy is strengthened in Ireland. Local
politics has become increasingly irrelevant to communities. To be
relevant it must engage the ability and creativity available at
county level. In order to achieve this it must be properly financed.
"Minister Roche must show courage and devolve power rather than
continue to centralise power in the Custom House. Our current local
government system is fundamentally inefficient as expenditure on
services such as water, housing, or sewage must be signed off and
financed by the Minister's office. This increases expenditure and
delays the delivery of critical infrastructure", he concluded.
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