Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I had the pleasure of listening to a speech made by the Minister, Deputy Hogan, at a meeting just over one year ago. He spoke about what he would do to change how we govern at local level and outlined the political reforms he had planned. He referred to changes in the manner in which local and national politics were funded. As a county councillor at the time, I was very excited about his plans. I wish him every success with them in his role as Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. I am delighted to speak on them this evening.

The people are crying out for political reform. This legislation marks the start of the Government's progressive plans. If one asks any voter if we need 166 Deputies to represent the people, overwhelmingly one will be told we do not. In the purest sense, there are two distinct facets to the job I am blessed to have. First, we are required to scrutinise, amend and improve the legislation that people live and the country is governed by. Second, we have to meet and listen to representative bodies which want their proposals to be heard and relayed to policymakers. Like many of my colleagues in the House, I think our job involves far more than the two facets I have mentioned. I disagree with my colleague, Deputy Olivia Mitchell, in that regard.

The people of Meath East elected me to this House. If I am to represent them effectively, I must be aware of their views, concerns and needs. The only way I can do this is to be available to the people who elected me. That takes time and commitment. If we do not have a real debate on how the local needs of citizens are represented, we are fooling ourselves into thinking we can impose a blanket reduction in the number of Deputies without it having a detrimental effect on the direct access of citizens to Members of this House. People need to be honest with themselves. Do they want true legislators, in the purest sense of that role, or do they want to retain their direct access to their representatives which is what the current system allows?

I am not talking about filling potholes or medical card applications. I accept such issues are very important to those who make representations on them. I am talking about national issues such as joblessness, mortgage arrears, access to education and funding. I am sure that other Deputies, like me, are contacted about such real issues on a daily basis. They need to be represented and dealt with. We cannot have a real and earnest debate on the proposed reduction in the number of Members of this House until we ensure the job description of Deputies matches what we want them to do.

I welcome the Minister's proposal to provide that by-elections be held within six months. The last Government grossly abused the facility to delay calling by-elections to suit its agenda and protect its slim majority. No Government owns any seat in this House. The last Fianna Fáil-led Government abused its privilege and showed utter contempt for the people. The changes proposed in the Bill are a reflection of our respect for the House and the people we represent. I also welcome the proposal in the Bill to reduce the spending allowances and reimbursement fees that apply to Presidential election campaigns. I look forward to future changes in the allowances and fees that apply to local and general election campaigns.

This legislation shows how serious we are about political reform. This is the start of what the Minister, Deputy Hogan, believes is a progressive plan. I commend him for his approach to these reforms.

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