Sir, - Weeks have gone by and hardly a peep of protest! I have waited in vain for the explosion of letters. Thus died democracy in Germany in the early 1930s.
Of course, Hitler's Enabling Act destroyed Parliamentary democracy, whereas Mr Dempsey's version is aimed only at local democracy, so perhaps, it doesn't matter. We know the great regard the Government has for local democracy - it is, at least, on a par with its regard for cabinet consultation. But why the silence from local politicians? Are they afraid to speak until after Mr. Dempsey has finally arranged their new payment schedules? Or, are they actually relieved to have their powers transferred to county managers, thus relieving them of the burden of responsibility for decisions on incinerators and other waste disposal issues?
This would mean they are either venal or cowardly. Surely not true in all cases? But why the silence? Please, let us hear from some of them, preferably those with minds of their own, not the usual well-trained and perfectly disciplined mouthpieces from FF and PD sources. - Yours, etc.,
Richard Murphy, Hightown, Coralstown, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.