Michael Brennan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Bill and thank Members of both Houses for their contributions to improving it. The Bill passed through both Houses with majority support. With regard to its constitutionality, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government has drafted it in accordance with the legal opinion available to him. Everyone agrees that the Bill is necessary and that it has been improved on previous Stages. Nevertheless, I share the concerns expressed by other speakers concerning the basic right of a person to hold a seat on a local authority. I am sure many people, including members of the Council of State and the President, will have listened to the contributions of Members of the Houses. Doubts concerning the constitutionality of the Bill should be tested through the various options available at national level as opposed to individuals bringing cases to court to uphold the basic rights of the people.