Mr. Tom Leahy:

Since the other European countries have the code Napoléon instead of the common law, the concept of the common good is so ingrained in their thinking that they do not need to refer to it in legislation. Our problem is that we have not in legislation outlined what the common good actually is.

A government over there, particularly at local level - the Deputy mentioned local mayors and their local powers - just looks at something and once it says that something is necessary for a town or village, it goes ahead. Nobody objects to it because people understand that it is for the common good. Unfortunately, we have to move with legislation here to give us an equivalent standing. Mr. Finlay and I were over-----