Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before I speak, I welcome Councillor Anna Grainger of Fine Gael, whom I see in the Public Gallery. She works in the Oireachtas as well. She has been listening attentively to these proceedings.

I will not take up too much time. This meeting is about the councillors coming to us. I was a councillor for many years, so I have experienced the same issues. It seems to be a case of repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, and I am not sure how much we are learning.

This is a political chamber, so I do not have a problem being political, but many of the councillors present come from political parties. Many of the issues in question – JPCs, the LDA’s property disposals, section 183 disposals and the erosion of councillors’ powers – are happening on the watch of their parties. What does that say about them and their parties? Just think about it. Recently, the Seanad debated JPCs and the question was defeated by the parties in government, whose Members sit on the side of the Chamber where the councillors are now sitting and stall Opposition Members, who are very few but continuously table motions to support councillors of all parties and none. I welcome that there are many Independent councillors present. That is fantastic. It is not easy to be an Independent councillor, as such councillors have no supports or backup other than their own. What I take from the number of Independents present is that they have considerable energy, commitment and determination because they want to make their communities better places in which to live, work and prosper. That is important. We need to aid them.

I acknowledge the significant work done by the AILG and LAMA. My commitment to the councillors – all members of this committee will do the same – is to include in the report the key issues they have raised with us in their submissions. They will see those reflected in the report. We are committed to pursuing the agenda of ensuring better local government and a better place for the councillors to do their work in terms of local democracy. However, those in parties should ask the hard questions. It is not for the want of communication. I have communicated with the approximately 950 councillors. I have told them this time and again. Those in the parties have leverage. They elected Members to this Parliament. They should remember who stands with them and supports them in their endeavours. The councillors made good points today, but they have to ask the TDs and Senators in their respective parties what they are doing for them. Let us move people out of here and new people in. Let there be new energy and new people who are committed to local government.

I will finish on this point. Let us work together. We keep bringing proposals to the House and tabling amendments to legislation to support councillors of all parties and none, but they are constantly rejected. I will illustrate the point. I commit to sending out a schedule of the key decisions that were taken in this House and the voting record on same. When the councillors receive them, I ask that they pursue the matter from the top of their parties to the bottom. Only together, across parties and none, will we deliver better local government for the communities the councillors represent.

I thank the councillors for attending from all around the country and giving their time. We are making a commitment.

We will take on board the councillors' excellent suggestions and their lived experience. The councillors are on the ground and have done the work and brought it back to us. Most of us on this side of the House have also been councillors. We will insist and ensure that it happens. I urge the councillors to remember that they have their own powers within their own parties and political structures. I urge the councillors to use them.