Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First, I welcome the fact that the Minister has acknowledged that, by virtue of what he has proposed in this Bill en masse, a gap exists in respect of the involvement of various communities which now find themselves without a town council. Second, I welcome the fact that he is open to suggestions, such as what is proposed by myself and Deputy Stanley, to fill that gap. However, I am very disappointed that on Report Stage of this Bill the Minister is telling us that on Friday, after this Bill is passed, he will look at the report from Fr. Healy and others with a view to possibly amending the Bill on Committee Stage in the Seanad.

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