Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I support Senator Brian Hayes in calling for a debate on Northern Ireland. There are a number of issues that we need to discuss, in particular the point he raised regarding these new super councils to be established in the North.

What surprised me about the proposal was that it seems to have come out of the blue. With most other proposals that impact on community life, there is generally a gestation period where people have an input and can make a contribution to the debate. What surprised me most of all is that most of the arguments being put forward in favour of the super councils are based on economics. It is stated, for instance, that the cost of governance and the cost of administration in the North of Ireland is one third higher than in the United Kingdom. However, there are much bigger issues because we all know that at the height of the Troubles it was the local councils that really provided the anchor because different parties there were prepared to sit down together and work for the betterment of the community. I would not like to see the partitionist mentality succeeding, if that is what is behind this. The debate, if possible, should take place before Christmas.