Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not doubt that the officials have worked very hard but this House also has a role in working very hard, which is to analyse and tease out legislation. That is not happening in this instance. I accept the Minister of State worked hard to bring forward this legislation. Given the pace at which it had progressed before the Minister of State assumed the office, I questioned if it would be progressing at all were it not for him. I congratulate him on what he has done to move this forward. That does not obviate the requirement that laws are made by the Dáil and Seanad. We have here seven pages of amendments on Report Stage without any proper explanation of what they are or why the powers should not transfer across to the directly elected mayor who, we are told, will exercise executive power.

Instead their powers should remain with the unelected director general; I do not think that is a proper basis on which to proceed, and on that basis alone I have to oppose this particular amendment.

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