Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all our guests for being here for our ongoing deliberations on the future of local democracy in Ireland. We will conduct this session in two parts. We will start with officeholders from counties Carlow, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Wicklow, who will then be questioned by our Senators. We will then go to the other members of local authorities who are present.

As a matter of procedure I will read out the following statement. I remind all present 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 speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of that person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are deemed potentially defamatory in relation to 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, 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. That is something that is read out before the start of all committee meetings. We know it by heart, or should do. It relates to members and to witnesses.

I welcome our guests to discussion of the very important topic of the future of local democracy. We will compile a draft report, which will be ready after the local elections. After those elections, we will give that report in advance to the Secretaries General and leaders of all the political parties, and invite them to our final session. We will then ask them to consider putting some, if not all, of the recommendations of the committee into their election manifestos and, hopefully, from there into their programmes for Government after the next election. Along with the recommendations, legislation will be required to implement the rebalancing of what we all see as the democratic deficit and making sure, for the next 100 years, we have a system of local government that is not an administrative area people are elected to but where, in many cases, people feel they do not have any input. We are looking for a true local democracy where the people are represented by the people they vote for.

I ask Senator Cassells to make a few opening remarks as he is the rapporteur for the report.