John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

I did not recommend any system along the lines of what exists in Germany where party apparatchiks put people in place. The list or top-up system I had in mind would be based on those people who stood in elections and the percentage vote they received. That allows the election to be personalised. I am not going along with any media agenda but simply proceeding with what I think is best.

The Deputy's point in respect of councillors is fine. However, as the Deputy knows, we discovered there has been a significant turnover of councillors, particularly on Dublin City Council. We must ask ourselves why this is the case. Some have complained the work was not compatible with their work commitments and was not paying enough. There were many complaints. The Deputy's basic point is that it is good to have people from different professions represented and that is fair. However, there are clear difficulties that must be addressed and that is what I hope to do in the forthcoming legislation, particularly in the White Paper.

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