Michael McCarthy (Labour)

While I support Senator Bannon on this, the Minister is making an important point about giving powers to members of local authorities. We have seen their role undermined somewhat in recent times. The Local Government (No. 2) Bill, for example, removed the decision making ability members of local authorities had as regards setting the cost of waste collection. That gives rise to a greater issue, namely, the role of the elected member and his or her reserved functions. It is very important that management at all times is at least obliged, as the legislation intends, to be accountable to the elected member, who is the agent between the public and the executive of the council. That is an important point that has been made this afternoon. It revisits the heart of local democracy. Senator Bannon, I know, is concerned that matters be clearly outlined and understood and he deserves support, but it is very important to underline that ethos in legislative terms so that the manager of the local authority is obliged by virtue of legislation to issue reports to elected members. There is an element of accountability there and it restores some heart to local government.