Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee. I would appreciate their thoughts on a few issues. It is important we get this right. It is a new concept to Irish politics and is about our delivering ownership to the electorate. I think we all agree on that. I will ask a few questions about the role of the councillors in this. It is important the councillor is not seen just to be rubber-stamping the mayor's programme of office. Have Professor Ó Broin and Dr. O'Malley any thoughts on the role of councillors in approving the programme of office? What are their thoughts on the role of councillors in general in their interaction with the mayor?

As for the issue of who the mayor represents, Dr. O'Malley's opening statement raised concerns about the mayor representing the entire county. In one of the heads the Minister refers to a rural Limerick board. Have the witnesses any suggestions regarding the board and how the voices of those people living within the county boundaries would be better represented? Do they think the Bill needs to be strengthened to ensure that these people, the electorate, have their voices heard?