No arguments offered in debate on 7 Council model
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on the Review of Public Administration, Alex Maskey has
said that political parties opposed to the 7 council model have failed to
produce any evidence of note to support their position and said that all parties
need to commit themselves to strong and effective local government underpinned
by power-sharing, equality and social inclusion.
Speaking after
the debate Mr Maskey said:
"All we heard today from the other
political parties was an irrational obsession with the number of 15. None
who oppose 7 in favour of 15 have told anyone councils they want to retain
or abolish.
"Sinn Féin wants a system of strong and effective local
government underpinned by power-sharing, equality and social inclusion.
"Out
of all the models that have been put forward - the 7C model is the only one
that delivers a fair rates base and the only one that will protect all minorities.
"What
people want to know is whether they will have efficient services, what will
happen to their rates and will their rights be protected?
"This
is why many bodies from teachers to pensioners; from business leaders to
farmers; from across the community and voluntary sector to environmentalists
- people who have no interest in the preservation of councillors but who
want good and effective government prefer fewer councils.
"Many
of them are more concerned that the obsession of some politicians with the
number of councillors has meant that we have not had the focus on issues such
as the Community Planning Process and putting it on a statutory footing that
allows people to have a real say in local government.
"While Sinn
Fein may have lost the vote in the Assembly today, I believe that without
doubt we have won the argument." ENDS