Reform has been slow and gradual. In 1991 the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government brought in legislation providing that Ministers and Ministers of State automatically lost their local authority seats when they were appointed to Cabinet. I was a victim of that legislation as I was then a Minister of State and lost my local authority seat. Worse followed for my party as it did not get to co-opt my seat. At the time whoever had the majority took the seat, which was wrong. Deputy Noel Dempsey rectified that when he was Minister, stating that the party which lost the member would retain the seat. That is only right to ensure proper representation for different electoral areas.