James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 11:

In page 6, line 3, to delete paragraph (b).

Where a person is qualified to be nominated for the position of cathaoirleach, it is important that he or she should have served at least five years as an elected member of the local authority. There is a genuine fear among local authority members that a whizz kid could buy his or her way into office by pouring money into an election campaign. He or she, however, would be at a disadvantage in regard to his or her knowledge of local government. It would also disadvantage candidates with experience of and a genuine interest in local government. It is important we consider this.