Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 4, line 16, after "Reform," to insert the following:

"the Houses of the Oireachtas, relevant agencies and local authorities,".

These amendments propose that the Oireachtas and relevant local authorities would be consulted. If we are merging or abolishing something, particularly democratic structures, the democratically elected members should be involved in that process.

The same issue of following good practice also applies to amendments Nos. 5 and 8. I was surprised that members of relevant bodies - at the least the ones to whom I spoke - were not even aware that this was happening, or that the Oireachtas was discussing this Bill and matters were at such an advanced stage.

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