Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is what I meant to say. This amendment is about the forfeiture of goods or gifts received and I have to outline my reason for supporting it. In the past that type of activity sullied and gave a bad name to respectable people who were serving their communities. They worked very hard to bring group water and local road improvement schemes to their areas. They tried to develop county development plans and local regional area plans and did all of the donkey work that had to be done in each area which, to this day, is being carried on by the highly respectable members not just in Kerry County Council but all other local authorities throughout the country. It is only right to recognise their work. It is important to acknowledge the time they gave and the work they did in their local authorities.

I support the Minister's amendment because anything that will squeeze out that nonsense and those who blackguard the system is to be welcomed. At times, politicians got a bad name and it was due to the activities of a very small number of people. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle, as a person steeped in local, national and European politics for many years, knows that being a politician can be a tough job at times. but we do it because we like it. However, we certainly do not like it when the idea of being a politician is sullied because of the activities of a very small number of people who lose track of what they are supposed to be doing and do things they are not supposed to do. I support the Minister and thank him for standing up for the good name of respectable politicians.

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