Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

This is what the amendment is about. All politics is local, as Tip O'Neill said. All legislation has a local dimension and vice versa. I realise that political correctness says otherwise and says that legislation and local issues are somehow separate. I totally disagree and those on the ground say different by electing national representatives at local government level. There are practising professionals and others bringing their perspective to the Houses and to local government. Why can we not have that in this House?

Those who have a dual mandate and want to retain it do so because of their passion for local government, not for any other reason. I want to be involved in local government and combine my roles because it is worthwhile to do so.