Illustration: Paul ScottWhy is Ireland so badly governed? Or at least it would be if they actually believed that it was going to have an effect. These are, in chronological order, the names of the part of central government that is supposed to support local democracy. It noted that “in many respects the position of local government is weaker in Ireland than in most other European countries. Make it illegal for elected representatives to urge public bodies to behave improperly by favouring their constituents over other citizens.

Source: The Irish Times January 20, 2026 15:22 UTC