The Bill before us today, therefore, is the culmination of a considered process which has been moving progressively in this direction for well over a decade. It is also worth noting that it has been the stated policy of almost all political parties in this House that the dual mandate should end. Reflecting this, the Local Government Bill 2000 contained similar provisions to those before us. However, as Senators will be aware, they were deleted from the Bill during its passage. This was done to sustain the support of certain Deputies on whom the Government then depended for support in implementing its overall programme of economic and social progress.