James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State is the last person who should be talking about disarray. We witnessed disarray between Fianna Fáil and the Green Party on the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill and we will witness further disarray tomorrow evening on the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill. Many of their Members are talking out of both sides of their mouths.

In this amendment we are saying "No" to the undermining of local democracy. We do not want the powers of those people who were elected to local authorities to be undermined. I do not want any increased powers given to regional authorities above those held by local authorities. The Minister of State should understand that.

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