A Connemara Councillor has hit out at a government decision to scrap elections to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta.

The current board is to be disbanded this year to be replaced by a new board made up of selected members.

The Board of Udaras na Gaeltachta comprises 20 members.

17 of these are democratically elected by the Gaeltacht electorate at intervals not less than four years.

The other three incuding the Chairperson are appointed by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

The elected Galway members include Val Hanley, Seamus Breathnach and Sean Ó Creabháin.

Speaking to Galway Bay fm news, Board member and Connemara Cllr Seosamh Ó Cuaig says the scrapping of elections means the region is losing its democratic voice.