1923

Rural Councils’ future

The proposed abolition by the Irish Government of the Rural District Councils is meeting with opposition from all parts of the country.

The reasons advanced for abolishing the Rural Council is that it is an unnecessary and expensive luxury and that many of its functions could be discharged by the County Councils and the Boards of Health.

Everyone will agree that retrenchment was never more necessary than at the present moment when the economic difficulties which face the Free State appear to be almost insurmountable.

The proposed abolition of the Rural Councils is, however, very questionable economy. It has not been made clear what body or bodies will take over the work at present carried out by the Rural Councils.

It is hinted that the County Council should be asked to take over the work. The County Council has about as much as it is able to do – if, indeed, it can be said to be able to overtake the work without being burdened with additional duties.

The Rural Council occupies an important place in local administration. The health of the people in isolated districts depends to a great extent on it.

Its sanitary sub-officers are responsible for the immediate notification of fever outbreaks like those in Castlegar recently and are charged with the work of taking steps to prevent infection spreading. They have the willing voluntary assistance of the local district councillor.

Pictured: Some of the 200 passengers who travelled on the Loughrea-Attymon line before its closure in November 1975.