I think some protest should be made against the manner in which the disfranchisement of the citizens of Dublin is being continued. This question was very fully thrashed out on the discussions on the Local Government Act and it was clearly laid down in the Act of Parliament what procedure was to be adopted. It was provided that three years after a certain date the elections should be held and that the citizens of Dublin should get an opportunity of electing people to carry on the various duties of the city. Now the Minister for Local Government comes along and introduces a Bill on one sheet of paper which makes matters worse with regard to local government than the Act of 1925. Under the provisions of this Bill the Minister may withhold election from the citizens of Dublin until the year 1929.
I think the Dublin Corporation was dissolved in 1923, and I suggest the time has arrived now when the citizens ought to be given an opportunity of registering their opinion as to the manner in which the civic affairs of the city ought to be carried on. As a born citizen of Dublin I must protest against the action of the Local Government Department in coming along on every occasion and withholding the rights of the citizens to decide on the machinery for carrying out their civic affairs. I said here, on many occasions, when this question was under consideration, that I had certain views in regard to the manner in which the business of the city ought to be conducted. That is not the question at issue in this case. The question at issue in this case is whether or not the citizens are entitled to express an opinion as to how the business of the city is to be carried on. This is a reproach against the citizens of Dublin. I do think, with all due respect, that the manner in which the business was carried on, although I agree they were slipshod methods, compared more than favourably with a lot of other places which have a very good name.
Certain places were held up to us as models of efficiency and good government, but I defy any member of this Assembly, or any member outside it, to prove that in the management of the civic affairs of Dublin good and efficient service was not given by the men and women who were the elected representatives. I go so far as to say that as good and as efficient service was given by many of these voluntarily in the management of the civic affairs of Dublin as could be given by any others no matter what salary was paid. I must protest against the outrage of depriving the citizens of Dublin of the right to decide who shall carry on the affairs of the city. I am speaking on the broad principle. The system of management of local affairs is a question that can be considered. I do not say that a new system should not be devised. I think it could be devised, and I am prepared to admit that a change in the system is necessary, but the citizens are entitled to be consulted. It is not fair to withdraw from them for six years the rights they have had with regard to the conduct of the business of the city without consulting them.
