Combined ward is 'too big' – Cllr
MASSIVE QUOTA OF 3,709 FOR ELECTION
A VETERAN local election candidate has called on the Government to redraw the boundary and reduce the electorate in the newly-formed Howth/Malahide ward.
Cllr Joan Maher (FG) has complained that the new ward is too big and said it was now the largest five-seat ward in the country.
An electorate of over 41,000 in the ward meant a massive quota of 3,709 had to be passed by the five winning candidates in last week's local elections.
In the end, only two of the candidates managed to exceed the huge quota and one of those only managed the feat on the final count, leaving three candidates elected without reaching the quota.
Getting elected in such a huge ward is not the only problem though. The new ward will also place increased burden and workload on its councillors.
'The quota was ridiculous for a five-seat ward,' Cllr Maher told the Fingal Independent. 'The huge size of the electorate is most unfair - it is more like a constituency than a local electoral area,' she said.
Cllr Maher expressed the fear that it might be difficult to get new blood to run for election in the area and take on the huge job representing a ward of its size.
The merging of the Howth and Malahide wards had other consequences too, particularly for the local Green Party. The Green Party bore the brunt of the reduction in the number of seats in the new ward, losing both of its councillors, Cllr David Healy and Cllr Robbie Kelly.
Cllr Maher had sympathy for her fallen colleagues. She said: 'I feel sorry for anyone who loses their seat.
She added: 'I think it is good to have all views represented on the council but my own green credentials are good. I was talking about green issues before anyone heard of the Green Party.'
Despite the difficulties imposed by the newlymerged ward, Cllr Maher said she is prepared for the new term in office where she said maintaining front-line council services, albeit with a tightening budget, will be the priority.
- John MANNING
