Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Councillors. Councillors are elected to do their business, and when they see a particular council member whose behaviour is not challenged by the rest of the council members, for various reasons that I do not understand, so that everyone else can do their business, the complete local government system into which they are elected to discharge their function falls apart. I know of one council that has not met since last February because of the behaviour of a councillor. The purpose of the measure is to capture that. It will not be abused in any way. It is the majority of the council that must make this provision, but if the Deputy feels that two-thirds of the council need to agree this decision, so be it. We will have a look at that. It is definitely a reserved function of the entire council and does not come within the power of any individual Cathaoirleach.