Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank members for their attendance for an ongoing discussion on local democracy. We already have had a public hearing on this in respect of public representatives and councillors from Northern Ireland and their representative body association, as well as with AILG and LAMA and public representatives from the Midlands-North-West European Parliament constituency. We will have further discussions with public representatives and members of the public from the Dublin area later in the year. After the local elections, we will invite in the leaders and secretaries general of the political parties to get their analysis of how the local elections went and to discuss the concern we all share that it is proving ever more difficult to get people to run for local elections and that this will feed into our national politics in the near future. This is not an Irish issue; this is a global issue. More and more people are leaving public service and that is of concern. There are a number of reasons behind it rather than one single reason. One of the tipping points has been the effects of social media, where people are no longer willing to be subject to the abuse it oftentimes entails but also in the sense of the effects that it has on families. That is one of the issues we hope to address.

This morning, I am delighted to welcome former Ministers and Ministers of State with responsibility for local government. We want them to give their insight into their time in the role and their observations since then, as well as the future of local democracy as they see it and ideas they have on how we can make it work for the next 100 years of the State. I am delighted to welcome Deputies Howlin, Ó Cuív and Phelan, as well as the former Minister, Noel Dempsey. I thank them for being here.

I have to read out the following statement to make sure we follow all procedures. I remind them of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in a speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on or criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

To commence the proceedings, Senator Cassells and I will make introductory remarks and I will invite each of the witnesses to make a short statement. We have nearly 100 years of service between the witnesses, which equates to the length of the State itself. Our concern is for the next 100 years and the ideas they have on how to make sure that local government works best for all the citizens of the State. I invite Senator Cassells, as the rapporteur, to say a few words.