Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the change in language. Those who were councillors for a number of years would have known that the term "having regard to" was widely used and sprinkled over everything, a little like confetti at a wedding that one could shake off when going to the reception. One could then get down to the serious business. This is a welcome change.

The question of numbers will arise later, but I have another concern that I expressed on Second Stage. If one only has two representatives from each local authority, the two dominant political parties, whatever they may be, will control these positions. One must try to achieve a political balance. The Minister knows that members of smaller parties and Independents may comprise more than 50% of the members of a local authority. I know that tends to happen at town council level, but one third of the membership of the county council could be comprised of members of smaller parties and Independents, none of whom will ever see the inside of the door of a regional assembly or have an input into its meetings. I would like to see the Minister and his officials come up with some mechanism so as not to exclude them. Under the current system, at least 40% of the representatives of the electorate will be excluded. We must respect their mandate. I might not necessarily agree with the views of Independents and members of smaller parties, but there is a point in taking on board the need for broader representation.