That this Ard Fheis believes that an autonomous empowered and democratic system of local government is a vital building block in creating a socialist republic in Ireland.

That the Ard Fheis adopts the document ``Local Power a National Right''.

That this Ard Fheis believes this document will make a worthwhile and valuable contribution to the search for a system of local govenment which not only empowers people but also gives them more control over their lives and reduces the role and influence of central government.

Ard Chomhairle

That this Ard Fheis calls on the Dublin government to initiate a coherent and comprehensive strategy for a radical reform of local government. At present, the 26-Counties has the most centralised government in western Europe and the practice of continuing downgrading of local authorities whiles effective power is concentrated at ministerial level, must be reversed. Recent feeble attempts at local government reform have only tinkered at the edge of the problem. Sinn Fein proposed that this reform strategy will incorporate the devoling of real power back to local government to empower real local democracy. As it's corner-stone local people, special interest groups and community organisations must be involved in ensuring that those receiving local authority services would be involved in drawing up plans which effect their areas and in deciding how the services are run.

Cumann Noble Six/Coen/MacManus, Sligo

That this Ard Fheis calls on the Dublin government to enact immediately a policy of regionalsation to ensure that genuine devoled powers are immediately given to the western, border and midlands regions. Without such devolped powers, which must embrace both the elected bodies and the unelected voluntary and community sectors, the ever widening gap between these regions and the rest of the state will not be meaningfully addressed. We further call for these three disadvantaged regions to receive and adequate and fair share of national as well as EU funds, a reversal of previous administrations policy in relation to these areas.

Cumann Noble Six/Coen/MacManus, Sligo

That this Ard Fheis calls on central government to provide proper funding to all local authorities so that adequate facilities and recreational areas can be provided throughout local authority housing estates.

Cumann Traolach Mac Suibhne, Corcaigh

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