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Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
# I have a dream
Fine Gael Mayor of Tralee: Phil Hogan has a dream - to get rid of town councils
Pat Hussey said the Fine Gael party has lost the run of themselves since getting into power.
FINE GAEL MAYOR of Tralee Pat Hussey has said he feels ‘abandoned’ by his party and accused Minister Phil Hogan of trying to phase out town councils.
Hussey withdrew his name from the running for the Tralee Electoral Area after it was announced at a meeting that the party’s gender quota directive would implemented and one of the two female candidates would definitely be going forward for the convention on Friday.
He told TheJournal.ie that there was no opportunity to question or debate the issue, which he said demonstrated the “arrogance” of the party.
“I remember listening to Garrett Fitzgerald back in the 70s and 80s, he was a great debater – the hair in the back of my head would stand up – and now they’re afraid to debate,” he said.
There’s no communication in Fine Gael anymore. Once they get into power, they lose the run of themselves.Martin Luther King said he had a dream – Phil Hogan said he had one as well. Luther King’s dream was to free his people and Phil Hogan’s is to get rid of town councils.
The Tralee mayor said he feels “abandoned” and “humiliated” by his party and advised the Irish people to “watch out because these people will make changes”.
However Hussey said he “won’t walk away” and intends to continue doing his work as mayor and as a member of the council for the duration of his term.
Read: “Arrogant” Phil Hogan’s visit to be greeted with protest by Letterkenny councillors>
Read: Hogan: No point having elected mayor for Dublin unless position is meaningful>
