WEXFORD COUNTY Council will be receiving 13 councillors rather than the rumoured eight, following the plans to abolish town councils, it has been revealed by Minister Paul Kehoe Government Chief Whip.

The Enniscorthy TD told The Echo of the extra amount of councillors that will be entering the Co. Council.

The Minister said: “Some counties will lose councillors, some will gain them. It is down to the population of the place. Due to Wexford’s population, we will be gaining 13 councillors.”

He added that the district offices, in Enniscorthy, Gorey, Wexford and New Ross would still be in use.

Minister Kehoe also said that Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan had set up local Government review groups which were reported on weeks ago.

He added that Minister Hogan was given 116 recommendations by these groups and granted 115 of them.

He also said that he welcomes the changes being brought about by abolishing the town councils.

“The Enniscorthy Town Council has been here since 1855 and they have done some extremely good work over the years. They have served the people of this town very well. There is no doubt that there will be a huge amount of change, and change can be difficult, but we have to believe in change.”

However fellow local TD, John Browne, completely opposes Minister Hogan’s radical plans.

Deputy Browne said: “It is a stupid decision to do away with them; it is a democratic deficit. To me it just makes no sense; it seems to me that the savings will be miniscule.”

 Read the full story in this week’s Echo.

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