Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our contributors from Dublin city and county for this Seanad public consultation on the future of local democracy as we run in to the local elections this year, which will see the largest number of people voting in the history of humanity. Needless to say, democracy faces countless challenges. With this report, we are hoping to look at those challenges and to hear of your personal experiences and the solutions to the ongoing difficulties that local democracy, but also democracy itself, face.

We are joined by public representatives and, this afternoon, members of the public will appear. We had contributions from local authority members' associations from the Republic and Northern Ireland at the previous sessions relating to the European Parliament electoral areas of Ireland South and the Midlands-North-West. This meeting is for the Dublin constituency for the European Parliament elections.

As part of the first session, we are delighted to have present the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr. Daithí de Róiste; the leas-chathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Ms Eva Dowling; the mayor of Fingal County Council, Mr. Adrian Henchy; the mayor of South Dublin County Council, Mr. Alan Edge; and other public representatives. I am also delighted to be joined my committee colleagues. As rapporteur to the committee, Senator Cassels will make a few remarks. Also present are Senators Casey, Black, Wall, Boyhan and Joe O'Reilly. I am delighted to welcome you all. I will call witnesses in turn, in alphabetical order of their county or constituency area.

Before I begin, I must attend to a procedural matter that is read out at the start of all meetings. I remind witnesses of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks.

It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I now invite Senator Cassells, rapporteur to the committee, to make some brief remarks.