Sir, - In the publicity before the recent Local Government Referendum, much play was made of the undoubted benefit of five-yearly elections. But little or no notice was paid to the most sinister Clause 5.
The current practice in local government is that casual vacancies are, by agreement, filled by co-option, to maintain the existing political balance of the body concerned. It is more than coincidence that new nominees are frequently near-relatives of the recent incumbent.
Surely, in local elections, while political affiliation is important, the deciding factor for success or failure is the ability and character of the candidate. The co-option system provides no guarantee whatsoever that the most able person available obtains the seat, and Clause 5 would appear to underpin the status quo.
Co-option is anti-democratic, and smacks of a totalitarian regime where power is retained by a coterie with no consideration for the wishes or the welfare of the populace. All casual vacancies should be filled only by election. - Yours, etc.,
Peter A. Grehan, Caherdaniel, Killarney, Co Kerry.