Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would appreciate that. I proposed an amendment that was not supported by the Opposition parties. I respect their right to make their decisions on what they perceive to be right, just as I am entitled to make my decision on behalf of the party. I have not hidden that at any stage. I am also entitled to argue why I made that decision. My biggest problem with Fingal County Council from the outset was whether it had the competencies and staff required to deal with this. At present it does not, nor does CAR. We can get them into Fingal County Council but I wanted to know from the Minister when that can happen. This regulation states clearly that it must be dealt with in an open and transparent manner that is accessible to all stakeholders, ensuring that the concerns of the residents will be addressed. That is what I want to ensure.

I put forward my amendment because I am conscious that the Minister is pursuing this. I wish he was not, and if I was in the Government I would do something different. When Deputy Brendan Ryan's party had 18 months in government to do something about this it could have done something different. The amendment I submitted was to ensure that a periodic review would be undertaken by an independent competent authority.

I ask the Minister to accept my amendment rather than his proposal of a review after seven years.

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