Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Minister on his interest in this matter. He is spending a great deal of time in the House. I welcome the Bill for a number of reasons but particularly because it modernises and enhances the role of local government while strengthening the role of Oireachtas Members. How many times at election time have we heard somebody say: "We have not seen you since the last election"? This is particularly the case at local elections when that cry is heard everywhere. These changes can only improve the representation of communities at local level. We have been given much free legal advice this morning but I have confidence in the Attorney General's acceptance of the Bill which will be proven over time.

Many Senators have expressed concerns about access to officials and meetings at local authority level. The Minister has succeeded in addressing these concerns by providing for Members to have direct access to certain information regarding meetings and agendas. I am confident that the further instructions he intends to issue to local authorities will ensure Members who wish to have access will be treated with due respect and able to continue to serve the interests of their constituents.

I am a new Member of this House and have not had the privilege of serving on a local authority. Nevertheless, during the years I have worked closely with councillors and officials at all levels. I have found that once a relationship is built up with an individual it is possible to reach a point where information is accessible. A local representative will have a network of local contacts, particularly in Dublin where the thrust of city council policy has been to decentralise its services throughout the city. In many cases officials are only too happy to share information and co-operate with local representatives, regardless of whether they are Members of the Dáil or Seanad. This benefits all concerned, the local representative, the local authority and the communities concerned. Local authorities have also signed up to the strategic management initiative which imposes firm controls on them.

Freeing up time for Oireachtas Members can only be welcomed by all sides. It cannot be seen as a diminution of their relevance at local level. In fact, it can only increase their relevance as they will be in a stronger position to serve the electorate in their constituencies. Politics at national level have changed radically in recent years. I must disagree with Senator Tuffy who quoted Tip O'Neill's slogan that all politics are local. That maxim, if carried through, actually counters the Senator's argument. The changes in this legislation increase, at both national and local level, the access people will have to their local representatives.