Priorities and local government

Sir, – Sean Ryan writes (Letters, May17th) of the lethargy evident in the introduction of traffic-light cameras. His letter was prompted by your news item (News, May 14th) that these cameras, first piloted here in 2015 to record motoring offences at junctions, will be put in place in “one or two” Dublin locations in 2025, some 10 years after the pilot scheme.

Mr Ryan say this defies belief (I regret to say it does not) and calls for some drive, determination and vision in the State agencies involved. We could apply these demands well beyond the area of traffic-light cameras and put them to music.

But it is reassuring that the system can bestir itself when something is truly important. Cormac McQuinn reports (News, May 16th) that increased payments for councillors who retire or lose their seats are to be introduced which will see the maximum non-contributory gratuity increased to €86,172.

The changes require the new regulations to be signed by Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe and Minister of State for Local Government Alan Dillon.