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On paper, the plan to use motor taxation to help fund local Government appears to represent a great deal for local authorities. The eventual reality, however, may be somewhat different. One area of continued concern is that devolution, the restoration of real decision making and power to local authorities, appears to be as far away as ever despite the initiative by the Minister for the Environment. Noel Dempsey. Mayo County Council which is responsible for maintaining 5,94I kilometres of non-national roads, one of the highest in the country. In places like Erris and Achill , which have long been judged to be the poor relation of urban areas like Castlebar in terms of access and infrastructure, the words of the Minister appeared promising. Mr. Dempsey spoke of " a non-national roads system that will be valuable to us in our search for excellence as a tourism country and as an industrial base both urban and rural". The reaction in Erris, however, was less than effusive. Local Fianna Fail Councillor, Tim Quinn stated: "I can't see what the big song and dance is all about. Previous Government allocations did not keep up with inflation so we are millions behind. "There is a lot of leeway to be made up and I can't see the new system of funding for local Government making a big difference" LESS NEGATIVE Senator Ernie Caffrey (FG) in Ballina, however, was less negative about the new measures. "It should go part of the way towards providing a proper system of funding for local authorities. National secondary roads should benefit. I would be optimistic that the new system will make my job as a councillor easier". In Castlebar, Councillor Johnny Mee (Labour) spoke of the "good" and "bad" elements of the Minister's measures-they won't be popular with motorists because of the hike in car tax but communities with potholed roads may feel they will get a better deal from now on. But Councillor Padraig Cosgrove (Independent) said the new system of funding would not differ greatly from the old. "It's robbing Peter to pay Paul", he stated. The Erris based Councillor said the new measures have a sting in the tail in that Minister Dempsey wants Strategic Policy Committees put in place which will decide how the money is spent. This will involve non-elected people sitting down with Councillors and having a say in how the money is spent. Argued Councillor Cosgrove: "This will give rise to more bureaucracy and hot air about how the money will be spent. Those with vested interests may have a say in the distribution of monies" In 1996, the cost of maintaining and improving the Mayo road network was £12.36 million. This expenditure was financed by local resources of £2 million with the balance of £10.36 million being funded by Government grants. Mayo County Secretary, Padraig Hughes is hopeful that the gain for local Government promised by Minister Dempsey in his reforms will have a tangible and beneficial effect in Mayo. He said: "The Minister has assured us there is more money in the system for us all. How it will pan out, nobody knows yet. Mr. Dempsey will be looking at the needs of individual counties. I assume we will be better off but I can't say by how much". |
