THE next government should deal with the reform of local government, according to the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland.
The association said the calling of an election was an opportunity for all parties to "take on four basic principles in relation to local government in Ireland".
These were immediate constitutional recognition of the concept of local government; ratification of the European Charter of Local Self Government; equality of status of all democratically elected councillors; retention of the integrity and independence of all urban authorities.