John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but before I finish I must raise one matter which I have just remembered. We can insert a reference to the fact that the members of staff who will draw up the local area plans will be selected from the two authorities. To use Waterford as an example, most of the staff are planning officials from Waterford City and County Council and there are one or two from Kilkenny. That reference might be a method of trying to deal with some of the imbalance questions. The principle of parity at political level is not proportionate but it is essential if we are to avoid the trench warfare that has surrounded boundary questions. We can insert an amendment that requires the staff composition to follow the population. Most of us have been members of local authorities and we know the planning section draws up-----