Duffy calls for return of town councils in pre-budget pitch

A Ballina-based Independent councillor has demanded that decisive action be taken by Government to address what he calls "systemic failures" that are "plaguing" local communities.

In a pre-budget submission, Cllr Mark Duffy called for the reinstatement of town councils, which were abolished in 2013. He said it was now a critical issue that decision-making powers are being excessively centralised and therefore far removed from the communities they impact.

“The bureaucracy is stifling. Basic infrastructure projects like line painting, drainage, and road maintenance are mired in delays, taking years to complete due to inefficiencies."

Cllr Duffy said the letter was not just a call for further funding but for systemic change to deliver for the people of north Mayo and beyond. He has proposed a targeted scheme to rectify the damage caused by pyrite in boundary walls across estates and public roads and also pressed for a dedicated initiative to finalise the adoption of legacy estate developments, which currently leave residents without essential services such as street lighting, water management by Uisce Éireann, and adequate road maintenance.

He also called for a standardisation fund to equip all estates under council management with traffic calming measures akin to those in new developments with a view to improving child safety in these areas.

"Installing slow zones and speed ramps isn't just about convenience; it's about saving lives and enhancing community safety," he said.

He also called for the urgent completion of the N26 and Orbital Route for Ballina, which he said were both overdue. He described the handling of the housing crisis as "disastrous".

“Excessive red tape and bureaucratic hurdles are crippling our ability to meet the soaring demand for homes."

Widely tipped as a possible candidate in the next general election, Cllr Duffy told the Western People he is "prepared for any scenario" in terms of the timing of the next election, which is expected to be held in mid-November.