Galway In Days Gone By

Behind closed doors

It is a curious commentary upon the condition of public life in the Free State to-day that, although people grumble without ceasing about the rates, there is little or no public discussion on the subject by those responsible for making the rate and for spending the money.

Galway County Council last week passed the rate estimate with a discussion that could be counted in minutes; no attempt was made to explain to the people its full significance and it is doubtful if one ratepayer in a thousand understands it.

This is a thoroughly unhealthy state of affairs and the sooner it is ended, the better it will be for public life in Ireland. Local administration tends to become more and more bureaucratic.

The bulk of the work of Galway County Council to-day is done in committee behind closed doors. It is perfectly true that the finance committee performs admirable public service, but the system of doing all important work behind closed doors is thoroughly vicious, undemocratic and dangerous.

These tendencies should be carefully watched and checked by the people if control of their own affairs is not to slip more and more into the hands of a few men.

Pictured: Bohermore Ladies' Club Social Evening at Halla Pádraic October 1986.