Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I strongly support Senator Bannon's position on the views of local authority members. The Minister has been very forthcoming in meeting local authority members and obtaining their views. Senator Bannon is correct with regard to county development plans, budgets and annual reports in that every assistance should be given to councillors. It is also important to state that Oireachtas Members should keep in touch with local authority members. With Oireachtas colleagues, I met local authority members in Galway two weeks ago and will meet them again this Saturday. It is important that every assistance is provided.

To give an example, there are times when local authority members must get independent legal advice. An issue arises in that regard because they cannot simply go along with the county council advice from the legal adviser on all occasions.