Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I thank Senator Morrissey for again raising the issue of the need to structure a relationship with local authorities after the abolition of the dual mandate, with Senators and Deputies, including myself, leaving councils last week. My council has set aside seats for Members of the Oireachtas above the chamber and has already set up a special database on the web for Oireachtas Members to access council information. I propose that we consider doing something similar for local authority members or take some other initiative to maintain our special relationship with local authorities. This should be done irrespective of reform because it is a totally separate issue. We already have that special relationship with county councils and we need to ensure it continues so that we can raise issues like the powers of local councillors.

In relation to Senator Morrissey's comments, the Government put another nail in the coffin of local democracy when it took away the power from local councillors to decide what waste charges should be imposed and if there should be charges in place at all.