Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

Seven members will be placed on the board by the Minister. I am sure they will be respectful people and will do their best. It is not about who they are or what they represent, it about taking away the voice of the people. The person in Bun A Leaca or Rossaveal who may not be listening to today's debate but will be implicated by this legislation in not being allowed to cast his or her vote at the local booth for the next údarás elections because the Minister will appoint the person instead. That is fundamentally wrong. That is why I feel - má tá an tAire Stáit ag iarraidh daoine a thabhairt leis agus ar an lámh eile ag baint cearta bunúsacha ar shiúl uathu nach bhfuil sin ceart. Níl sé ceart. Tá sin sa Bhille seo agus dá bhrí sin, beidh mé ag brú an leasaithe.

Sitting suspended at 1.45 p.m. and resumed at 2.20 p.m.