MALCOLM BYRNE,
A chara, - While I agree with my party colleague John McGuinness TD, who is reported (The Irish Times, October 29th) as stressing the need for structural reform of our State services to provide better value for money, I cannot figure out by that logic why he continues to support the dual mandate whereby members of the Oireachtas can serve as members of local authorities.
This is hugely wasteful. For a start, it prevents our national legislature from sitting on a Monday - because that would clash with local council meetings. It also takes up a significant amount of the time of TDs and senators who are supposed to be legislating rather than dealing with issues best dealt with locally.
The abolition of the dual mandate is vital to breathe life back into local government and to ensure the Dáil and Seanad concentrate on legislation. This is Fianna Fáil policy, reaffirmed at the Ard Fheis in March. Mr Martin Cullen has stated publicly that he will implement this policy before the 2004 local elections. I expect him to move quickly to do so. - Is mise,
MALCOLM BYRNE, Cathaoirleach, Gorey Town Council, Co Wexford.