Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I have listened to the debate with great interest. I agree with Senator Bannon that one can change one's mind on policy. I have no difficulty with that. That is the evolution in which we, in politics, are all involved. I made the remark in the context of the constitutionality point where when one had a different point of view one did not have a constitutional problem with the Bill. The Senator now has a problem with the Bill, even though it contains the words put forward by Fine Gael when the Bill was brought before the Seanad in 2000.

It is presumptuous and quite extraordinary of Senators to suggest councillors should not be paid on a full-time basis. I would love to have councillors' views on that. It is akin to my saying Senators should not be paid on a full-time basis.