It was a step forward that the ministerial prerogative allowing local authority elections to be postponed indefinitely was removed. We can argue what the length of the period should be, but it must still be defined. The chair of a local authority should then occupy that position for the whole period. In my council in County Kildare, there is effectively a coalition between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. The chair rotates on an annual basis and, though it works satisfactorily for all parties, there is a need for a continuity. I favour giving more powers in controlling the executive to the position of chairman. The council does have some control but it may need to be strengthened. This is, however, an argument for another day.