Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I never said that local government politicians should not be paid but that local government positions should not be made full-time. Community involvement would be deterred if the posts were full-time. I also raised the financial feasibility of having 1,000 full-time political posts. I have noticed the Minister has kept quiet since he was questioned about this on radio. There was a reaction to the suggestion that there would be 1,000 full-time local government positions at a time when the Government is unable to employ more people in the public service. What of the lack of local government employees? I certainly did not say that people should not be paid. If they are in full-time posts, they should be paid for that. I question the suggestion that all local government posts should be full-time because it would deter participation by the community. That is the point I raised and the Minister knows that.

The Minister is taking power from local government. A Bill was put through the House only yesterday—