Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

We do not wish to be partisan, we want to look out for the public interest. Whatever one thinks of politicians, they must present themselves before the electorate every five years. The electorate may decide to hire or fire.

During my short time in politics I have seen an erosion of democracy. Members are not allowed to sit on local authorities. County managers are the only people happy with this. They are relieved that people in the Oireachtas, who pass legislation and see the wider picture, are not members of local authorities. In the Seanad I meet colleagues from throughout the country and learn from their experiences. If I were to attend a council meeting in the morning I would have a greater depth of knowledge of the issues than when I was a local councillor.

I am not concerned about the partisan aspect of this. Politicians come and go and they are elected by the people with a mandate. The people adjudicate. I give notice to the civil servants drafting these Bills that, whether I am in the Seanad or in the Dáil after the general election, I will take the same position next time. One does not end a career in other areas because one becomes a politician.