Results 1-7 of 7 for shane cassells segment:8859979
- Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)
Shane Cassells: I thank the Cathaoirleach and as rapporteur, it is a great pleasure to welcome all of our guests. As the Cathaoirleach has said, we already have had a number of witnesses before us including councillors from all over the country and public representative association bodies. These have included the Northern Ireland Local Government Association and councillors from Northern Ireland,...
- Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)
Shane Cassells: It is great to have him here in the Seanad Chamber to debate his insights from the last term as well. I also welcome in particular my fellow county man, Noel Dempsey, who was perhaps one of the most reforming Ministers in local government. The changes that he brought in in the mid-1990s and the systems he introduced gave the likes of me and many other young people their chance. That was...
- Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)
Shane Cassells: I have a couple of quick questions. As I said at the outset, I knew there would be extremely insightful remarks from all four witnesses and I have a few questions to each of them. One is to Deputy Howlin regarding the statistics he quoted on spending. As I said to Mr. Dempsey before the meeting, Deputy Howlin would often make the point at the PAC that the Comptroller and Auditor General...
- Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)
Shane Cassells: I thank the Cathaoirleach. As he said, I am the rapporteur for this report and the body of work we are doing in terms of public hearings on the future of local democracy. I very deeply welcome our guests to the Chamber. It is so fitting that they will be addressing members this evening and putting out their points of view. This matter is something I feel very passionately about. I have...
- Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)
Shane Cassells: Let me go through some of the points raised. On full-time councillors, the fact that what former Minister Noel Dempsey called for here this morning needs to be introduced is significant. His point was not just about remuneration. He referred to the number of statutory reports from national level that councillors are now expected to read. Many say they do not have time to read them, but...
- Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)
Frances Black: ...I thank everyone most sincerely and I want the councillors to know that we are very dedicated to this. The Seanad Public Consultation Committee is being headed up by Senator Mark Daly and Senator Shane Cassells was the member who instigated this. We are very passionate about this and the work the councillors do. We know how difficult it is and I do not mean to be blowing air or anything...
- Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)
Shane Cassells: We have been here since 10.30 a.m. and we have had the opportunity to listen to those who have framed policy and the lived experience of those who have implemented it. Mr. Breandán Fitzgerald was so right in saying a seat is what you make it. I recall when I was a councillor and I heard the same issues spoken of then as were raised today. We made things happen regardless, however, and...