Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I am disappointed that the Minister has not introduced a package of local government reform with this Bill which abolishes the dual mandate. He said he wanted to cut the umbilical cord – the link between local and national government – as part of his plans to reform local government. Although he is willing to break the link, he does not seem to be prepared to introduce measures to reform local government, other than to bring forward a Bill to remove certain powers from local authority members. Members of local authorities and the Oireachtas – those with a dual mandate – have examined his plans to break the link between local and national government and give more powers to local authorities. We are surprised to find, however, that he has introduced a Bill which removes powers from members of local authorities. I was disappointed that he seemed to suggest that the 129 dual mandate holders were holding back local government reform.