Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Several years ago, I introduced a Private Members' Bill in this House proposing that LAMA, the Local Authority Members Association, would have nominating rights to the Seanad. The previous Government voted against that Private Members' Bill. While I welcome the Bill, I welcome the amendments proposed by the Government more. Those proposals give rights to the Local Authority Members Association as a nominating body to Seanad Éireann and also to the AILG, the Association of Irish Local Government, which is an amalgamation of the municipal authorities and the Association of City and County Councils. It is a very straightforward Bill. Senator Norris's comments on the question of university voting should be noted.

It has not been a good week for councillors or the body politic as a result of the RTE programme which we all witnessed. It is important to state that the vast majority of local authority members from all parties, and none, are good, decent, hard-working people who represent their communities as best they possibly can with little remuneration. They have larger areas to deal with and more meetings to attend. I have just come from a meeting with independent councillors who have sent a submission on the workload of councillors, the work they do and the difficulties that exist. I have asked that a copy of that be circulated to all Senators so we can examine it. Minister of State, Deputy Paudie Coffey has a copy of it and officials will also look at it. I do not wish to detain the House any further. I welcome the Bill and thank the Minister of State for agreeing to include the Local Authority Members Association as a nominating body for the Seanad. I hope these two organisations will use their nominations wisely.