Dáil debates

Thursday, 11 November 2010

Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010: Second Stage (Resumed)

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Charlie O'ConnorCharlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

-----Templeogue and even Firhouse. I cannot take the Luas as it does not serve those areas. It is a little more difficult to travel to those areas by public transport. The question of the future transport needs of this city are important. I hope the Minister's proposals will embrace that issue in terms of the role of a mayor. I note the different responsibilities the Minister will assign to a directly elected major of Dublin. The transport needs of the city need to be examined in a special way.

I was born in an age, and I do not mind admitting my age, where I remember horse drawn carriages and tramlines being pulled in Aungier Street and George's Street. Bad mistakes were made at that time at the beginning of my life and I hope similar mistakes will not be made again.

I will tell the Members this if they do not tell anybody about it - I remember as a small child living on the corner of Stephen's Street and George's Street and my granny running down the street when she heard that Alfie Byrne, that great Dublin man, was rambling up the street. He used to do that. I do not know whether many of today's politicians ramble around the streets and I do not want to give away my secrets. I could invoke the names of many people who held the position of Lord Mayor of Dublin down the years who I remember and respect, not all of whom were from Fianna Fáil. I remember Alfie Byrne, Robert Briscoe and many of those men of that generation. Those men and women would have fitted nicely into the position of being a directly elected mayor.

The jury is still out on this legislation and the debate on it is ongoing. It is important legislation and I know the reaction to it in the House will be mixed. I look forward to the Minister returning to the House and telling us more about his proposals. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for his courtesy.

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