Councillor Patricia McCarthy:

I thank the committee for the opportunity to address it. As the president has indicated, we have proposed amendments that we would like to see made to the Bill. We will go through it by section. On line 31 of page 25, we would like to delete the word "district" and insert "district councils"; on line 32 of page 25, we would like to insert "council" after the word "district"; and on line 33 of page 25, we would like to insert after "districts " "or, as municipal district councils".

We need the title "municipal district council" to give the powers, functions and members recognition in the area in which they perform. Referring to a municipal district alludes to an area rather than the body that is making laws and regulations for the body; as such, it would be demeaning to members to be referred to as a district rather than a council. The title should include the word "council".