Sir, - Your environment correspondent, Frank McDonald is right in saying (April 11th) that the new Civic Offices at Wood Quay are a credit to the city of Dublin. He is even more right in questioning the need and the usefulness of such centralised offices for the administration of the city.
The city motto Obedientia civium urbis felicitas translates as the well being of the city is based on the obedience of the citizens".
In today's social and political reality, it would be far better to replace "obedience" with "participation". The curse of all large cities is the alienation of the citizens from the systems which control their lives.
Wouldn't it be marvellous if, instead of (or as well as) a magnificent centralised office, we had civic centres in each of the 12 electoral wards in the city? This would help people to identify with their local area, e.g. Artane, Ballyfermot Rathmines, North Inner City, etc.
Residents who have sufficient interest and civic spirit to want to make a contribution to community affairs would have a focus for doing so. If services were available at these centres, they would be far more accessible to the citizens. Locally elected councillors (say, four to a ward, as at present) would be much better placed to represent their constituents and to get things done. Corporation officials would be nearer to the people and more in touch with local needs. Local administration would be guided by local democracy.
Civic life could only improve. Dare we hope that the new city manager will want to change "obedience" to "participation" and that the long promised reform of local government will give a real voice to the people? - Yours, etc.,
Fontenoy Street,
Broadstone,
Dublin 7.