Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I am much happier on foot of the Minister's remarks and I am glad he has put it on the record of the House. I will not delay him any further as he has taken the point, which I welcome. Democracy will be stronger if this is done, rather than having the Minister of the day appointing whomsoever he or she wishes, because sometimes the Minister would appoint defeated electoral candidates and so on, whereas this clearly will be an elected person from the local authority, which is welcome.

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