Maurice Hayes (Independent)

I too support the request for a debate on Northern Ireland, particularly in regard to the local government proposals. I generally support Senator Ó Murchú's point that the proposals are too functional and miss out on essential democracy. The process was begun by the former Executive — I believe it did so in an exercise in self-preservation, but that is by the way — and has been discussed for a number of years.

What is now at issue is not the fact of change but the number of local authorities. As Senator Walsh stated, to have between 12 and 15 councils would be about right. Otherwise, we run the danger of the Balkanisation of Northern Ireland and virtual repartitioning on sectarian lines. The next step would be the demand for separate police forces on those lines. What began as a non-political exercise has become highly charged with politics and the wrong decisions have been made.