It’s claimed the Dáil’s vote in favour of bringing back town councils will reinvigorate the campaign here in Clare to reinstate them.
Fianna Fáil’s bill was passed by a margin of just one vote – three years after 80 municipal authorities around the country were abolished, including four in Clare.
In 2014, the Fine Gael-Labour coalition brought in sweeping reforms in local governance that resulted in 80 town councils around the country being abolished.
The cost saving measure brought an end to the municipal authorities in Ennis, Kilrush, Shannon and Kilkee but thetransition led a significant reduction in local representation.
Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard, a former Town Councillor who is now no the County Council, believes the old system was better for all concerned.
Independent Kilrush Councillor Ian Lynch hopes last week’s Dáil vote will lead to a government re-think.
