Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is correct. It is section 217(6), and it refers specifically to local authorities.

I do not want to enter any notes of rancour on this because we are getting a good deal of co-operation. I said Deputy McCormack was a pessimist, but that just means someone who looks at things in a very black way. I did not cast any aspersions on his commitment to the people of Galway. I would not cast aspersions on the commitment to his or her constituents of anyone elected to this House. I hope I did not give that impression at any stage. I will look at the "blacks", but again I believe it is just Deputy McCormack's pessimistic nature. I did not infer at any stage that Fine Gael was not in favour of this. In fact, I went out of my way, as did other speakers, to acknowledge the positive approach the Opposition, including Fine Gael, took to this Bill.

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