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

Section 57 states the Local Government Act 1991 will be amended and details the establishment of a regional body, known as the regional assembly, the membership of which shall consist of persons who are members of every city and county council in the functional area. The Putting People First document was clear on the numbers involved, but the legislation is not. Earlier we discussed having two representatives, which as I recall was what was in the Putting People First document, but this is not in the Bill. What is the intention?

Deputy Murphy expressed a view there should be direct elections to regional assemblies, and although some of us would like to see this, it is not what will happen and people will be delegated from local authorities. If the issue of the number of people cannot be dealt with on Committee Stage, I will table an amendment on Report Stage. Various political groups on local authorities have made representations on this matter. A mechanism must be put in place because if it is not, regional assemblies will reflect the two largest parties. The Minister issued kind words earlier but I assure him there is very little kindness at local government meetings when it comes to divvying out positions. In the North the d'Hondt system is used but it will not be used for the regional assemblies. There is no mechanism to allow in the plebs. The Minister is deliberately excluding the Labour Party, Sinn Féin, Independents and many others. Unless the Minister speaks to every Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil councillor before Christmas to get them into good spirits and ensure that after the local elections they will allow in an odd Labour Party person or Shinner, it will not happen.