Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State clearly has a problem with the Minister, Deputy Cullen, as this would otherwise be removed.

This matter is embarrassing for the Minister, Deputy Cullen. I acknowledge the Minister of State's point with regard to section 7(6), whereby State agencies such as the Garda Síochána, a local authority and the National Roads Authority would be consulted by the board. I presume this would be a given in any case. Sub-committees may be set up. If so, I hope section 22 will not preclude councillors from being members of sub-committees.

While acknowledging the Minister of State's contribution, this is an embarrassing issue for the Minister, Deputy Cullen. Local authority members and councillors play a major role with regard to the upkeep of roads, road safety, the compiling and introduction of speed limits and the introduction of black spots. If the road safety authority is to have any teeth, it will make recommendations on the operation of black spots. Given all of this, to debar more than 1,000 councillors from being members of the board is one of the most embarrassing things to have happened since I first entered the Chamber.

Previous speakers noted that similar parts of other legislation were amended by the Parliamentary Counsel in terms of removing sections. Like Senator Mooney, I hope this will never happen again and that local authority members, the people's representatives, will not be debarred from being members of various boards, particularly this board, because they have a major role to play. One could well have a member of a local authority play a major role.

I am disappointed. The Minister of State has done his best. We gave him time but I have no choice but to press the amendment. Amendments Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, are being taken together. I will have to press a vote on amendment No. 6 because it deals with section 22(4) which states: "A person who is a member of a local authority shall be disqualified from becoming a member of the Board." That aspect is also covered in the amendment to section 22(1). I have no choice but to press the amendment, although I thank the Minister of State for the way he has dealt with the issue.