Fine Gael to bring 'Power to the People'

Local government will no longer be a bit player on the local scene under Fine Gael's radical new policy. The party proposes to shut down up to 100 state bodies and turn over their powers to local authorities in order to drive development at local level.
John Duffy, Fine Gael candidate for the Drumlish electoral area, sees this as a key new advantage for local areas where policies will be matched to local conditions.
"The party's reform programme 'Power to the People' will give local authorities the tools to capitalise on local resources," says Duffy. "Rather than having planning and development imposed, local communities will be at the heart of decision making."
Under the new proposals Fine Gael are proposing a new cabinet-style executive for county councils to streamline decision making and a special customer service unit in each local authority to ensure that services are uniformely delivered to best practice.
As part of the reforms Fine Gael is promising to freeze business rates for the next five years in order to safeguard employment and to ensure that small and medium sized enterprises can help fuel Ireland's recovery.
"This new policy shows that Fine Gael aims not only to replace the people in charge but the system too," says Duffy.