Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I join Members in complimenting the Joint Committee on the Environment and Local Government which has done a fine job in discussing this issue. I agree with Senator Quinn that this amendment requires a great deal of tidying up before we could agree to it. It fails to refer to Seanad Éireann. While have a Technical Group consisting of smaller parties and Independents, there are different views within it. The issue is who will make decisions in this matter. If the Government cannot make a decision without being subject to a veto from one person or a small party, it will be unable to make any decisions. For too long we have heard complaints about the number of agencies and authorities we have established which have somehow taken power away from the Oireachtas. It would be useful to return to a position where the Government makes decisions.

There is a current proposal that somehow the people should decide, presumably by way of referendum. It should be noted that the people have already decided to send Deputies and Senators to the Oireachtas. Asking for a further endorsement from the people would be a waste of time. The Minister of State and Senator Dardis both made the point that we must have an effective Government and that one cannot adopt a dog in the manger approach whereby one particular Member can hold up the work of both Houses. We should allow the current procedures to continue to obtain.