Drogheda Urban election candidate for Sinn Féin, Debbie McCole has said that, if elected, she will campaign for the reinstatement of Drogheda Borough Council.
McCole was commenting on the loss of independence and power for Drogheda town since the borough councils were abolished by Labour and Fine Gael in 2013 when Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan’s Local Government Bill cut the number of Councillors in the country by almost 50%.
“The damage caused by this decision is severe and its consequences are felt to this day” McCole said. “Strong Town and Borough councils are an important part of a properly functioning local democracy and they provide for better engagement with citizens and improved accountability at local level.”
“The replacement for the borough and town councils are toothless municipal councils which have proven to be totally ineffective for Drogheda in the last ten years. Most of the Directors of Services and Council Departments are now based in Dundalk.
“Drogheda is the biggest town in Ireland and is pursuing city status. Under the current system Drogheda is treated like an afterthought. The town doesn’t have its own budget, we lost our town clerk and it was a huge blow to local democracy and accountability.
“Drogheda needs a council that will fight for the town, will fight for services, housing, investment and development. I want to be that strong voice in the council.
“A strong borough council is central to Drogheda having the independence to push for better services and a better deal for Drogheda in the coming years.”
