Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, it has nothing to do with Senator Norris.

In the Dáil the Taoiseach said the following:

My view, which is not the view of Government because we have not discussed it at Cabinet yet, is that I have reservations about it on several levels. I referred to those reservations already in this Chamber. The first of them is that it would diminish the role of councillors and local authority members. I know many Members of this House will not want that to be the case.

That is what he said.