Comments on: Cllr Damien Blake: Beyond Bertiegate

By: Jim Gough

Jim Gough — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:50:23 +0000

If there is one piblic representative that has not attended a ‘free lunch’, ever, then let me know and I will fully support him/her at election time.

Post Bertiegate – Far too much media hype. Look how it back fired on the opposition parties.

The electorate can differentiate between real corruption and a dig out to a friend, even if that friend happens to be an elected representative.

By: Keith Gaughan

Keith Gaughan — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 18:14:42 +0000

The power to self-finance must be dealt with, either through local taxation or some other means of funding.

A good start on this would be to return control over the proceeds of Motor Tax the the councils.

By: Cian

Cian — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:35:02 +0000

keith, i updated the link to his blog to his blogspot site, which i reckon is the intended address.

on the substance, I dont think any government had the opportunity until now to deal with local government due to the dual mandate, as it stands the end of the mandate saw something like 90 TDs leave seats to kin. Most from FF.

The urge to reform local government is a justifiable one but it must be imbued with a sense of professionalism and a minister with a primarily oversight function. The power to self-finance must be dealt with, either through local taxation or some other means of funding. Our system is a shambles but changing it into another bureaucracy would be futile.

The same worries outlined above make the worries about reform more salient. can we trust these interested parties with more powers in light of some of the awful uses of planning powers by some councils?

The SIPO and other leigslation is not strong enough with local government and the urge to professionalise and reform the system has to be followed through. However Bertie is arguing he was subject to similar laxness in 1994 as opposed to strict rules now. Is that sufficient, if a cllr was indicted could he argue that lax rules for him are ok when hard rules for TDs exist? I doubt it.

By: Keith Gaughan

Keith Gaughan — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:25:42 +0000

Seamus, your domain appears to have expired.

By: Seamus Ryan

Seamus Ryan — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:01:36 +0000

Damien I agree that there is a need to restructure and reform local government in this country. However I am disappointed that there has been no serious attempt at this over the last ten years(political point out of the way). In particular there is a need to finance local authorities in a manner that would allow them carry out their duties.

By: Cllr Damien Blake, Letterkenny Town Council » Update, October 18th 2006

Cllr Damien Blake, Letterkenny Town Council » Update, October 18th 2006 — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:44:03 +0000

[...] Following on from my contribution to the recent “Blogging the Election” conference, I’m starting a new weekly column on the IrishElection.com website. The pieces should be on the website over there every Thursday. I’m keeping this website for local issues, so any comments or discussion will be kept for the IrishElection website. Update: Here’s my first piece: Beyond Bertiegate [...]

By: Leo P McGinley

Leo P McGinley — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:48:45 +0000

Welcome Cllr Blake.
Its good to see another Donegal man on the blog. I wish you all the success with your career.
Leo P.