Unions in push for local authorities to retake control of services

Public Service Unions “have launched a campaign to boost the powers of local government and to bring privatised services back under the control of local authorities.” The “More Power to You” campaign by Fórsa, SIPTU and Connect “will run ahead of the local elections in May and will urge the public and politicians to sign up to a pledge backing measures including directly-elected mayors, and bringing previously privatised services back under the remit of the public service. Addressing the launch, Dr. Mary Murphy of NUI Maynooth presented a report saying that ‘four dead hands’ had strangled the capacity of local authorities—including privatisation of functions like housing and waste, centralisation by central government, increasing executive control in councils, and austerity.”