Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank everybody who has made a contribution. The meeting has been excellent as always.

I am delighted that representatives of Fórsa are here today because the trade union has an important part to play in the future of local government. It represents 12,000 people who are at the coalface of local government day in, day out.

I deal with them daily and I am sure my colleagues deal with them as well. The witnesses know the stress and strain they are under in functioning for local government day in and day out. It is important to say that, and we recognised that by inviting the witnesses here. A concern I have about what was mentioned in Mr. Carrothers's contribution was the report that is going to tell us 40% are seeking a new job. Maybe he could tell us what is behind that. I probably know what is behind it. It is important the people he represents, who are the cornerstone of local government, are recognised in every report we do. It goes without saying that housing and waste disposal has to be brought back. That is something I support and will continue to campaign for.

On the PPNs, I had "What can citizens bring to the table?" written down. That is what the PPN is all about. I recognise Mr. O'Shea because we have spoken before and I am conscious of what he has brought to the table. That is why it is important the PPNs are part of the whole local government discussion. It is also important, when we are talking about policy, that people get to play a role in that.

On regional assemblies, I have two questions for Mr. Murphy and Mr. McEvoy. We are all talking about the planning Bill that is coming through here fairly quickly. We are all looking forward to it, even the Cathaoirleach. What has the planning Bill in store for regional assemblies and where is it going? The other aspect I am concerned about is centralisation and the one-size-fits notion in relation to regional assemblies, that everything is going to be the same everywhere. That is not the case with regional assemblies. I would like a few comments on that.

Then there is the future of town councils. I was a proud town councillor on Athy Town Council. It was one of the worst decisions made by any Government. I have said that and will continue to say it because it removes local democracy from those who need it and brings it so far away. The whole municipal district system has failed and I will say that and continue to say it.

Councillor Horgan know my issues with data. He has raised this with me before. If we do not have the data then we cannot fix the problems. It is as simple as that.

Well done to Mr. Deane on a great contribution. As we have said, one of the issues for this committee is looking at young people coming into politics and he has made that contribution today and made it very well. I thank all our ex-colleagues who have been here today and indeed the colleagues over there. Town councils are important and whatever form they come back in, we have to bring local democracy back to local people.