Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein)
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I certainly agree with Mr. O'Reilly in that regard. I also agree with him on the diversity needed within the council chamber. When I was a member of Mayo County Council, it amazed me that more than 50% of its elected representatives were auctioneers. It worried me that there was such a concentration of auctioneers on the council. There is an issue with reporting, land ownership, zoning and planning and one's responsibilities as a councillor. I do not see how these provisions will address that issue.

I want to ask the delegates about gifts. I cannot imagine how the provisions will work. It is very important that gifts not be given to elected representatives that could in some way influence the decision-making process. How do the councillors see that issue being resolved? It would be very easy for an elected representative to say something was a personal gift, even though it was in some way connected to a decision. Do the delegates have suggestions to make on how this issue might be resolved?