Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank everybody for their contributions. I thank my colleague, Councillor Lacey, for all he has done for the Labour Party. He was first elected in 1993. Today is not the first time I heard about his passion for local government. He made six points. Senator Boyhan has taken the one point I wanted to put forward, namely, the form and financing of local government. Across all our conversations over that period it has been the one issue that has come up time and time again. It is now time we put that at the centre of this conversation. The Cathaoirleach nodded in agreement with Senator Boyhan's proposal, which I second. That is an issue we can actually work on and take from all the contributions of members at our meetings on this matter.

Councillors Clark, Saul and Lynch spoke about full-time councillors. That is where we need to go. That is the job. We all talked being switched on 24-7, including Councillor Hagin Meade. That is the demand on a councillor. Social media has demanded that. We are all aware that we are getting called out time and time again on social media if we do not get back to somebody within an hour or a day. That is what is happening. Those are the demands being put on councillors at present. There is an argument, a little like that about hybrid meetings, regarding what happens to those who want to continue in full-time work. We have to accommodate those people as well, but the time has come for full-time councillors in this country. We must look at what is happening in other countries and replicate that. Ireland has to have full-time councillors because in essence it is a full-time job.

Councillors Colgan and O'Connell spoke about planning, which is something that is dear to my heart. Senator Boyhan spoke about the planning Bill. I have spoken to Councillor Lacey at length about it. It is something that needs to be challenged in the House. We look forward to the Bill coming before us in the Seanad. We will be looking at that.

Councillor Donnelly raised the matter of a code of conduct. That is essential for all political parties. It is something we will look at during our Seanad term and in the report we will put out.

I also thank my colleague, Councillor Tuffy, who has worked tirelessly for our party over a long period as a TD and Senator, as was said. She brings great experience to our party in that regard. She mentioned Councillor Gilliland. I acknowledge all those councillors who are no longer there. Councillor Tuffy is right that some people just do not want to run any more, but it is also important to speak to them. The time has come to get their feelings about what they offered and what they look forward to.

I again thank everybody. Full-time councillors and the forum are issues, as is the planning Bill. We all look forward to that Bill coming to the House.