Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I am proud to say I am paid from the public purse. I run a full-time constituency office in Mullingar which I believe I should do as I am paid from the public purse. I will make no apologies to anyone for so doing nor will I give myself a slipped disc by clapping myself on the back.

It is common for federal states, such as the USA, Canada and Germany, to have an upper house of the legislature. In a federal system, the upper house is where the interests of constituent states are balanced. Ireland, however, is a unitary state and not a federal one. Under the unitary system of government, there are two main arguments in favour of having an upper house.

I am not exactly happy with what this report contains in regard to locally elected Members. I ask Members to bear in mind that there is a very large elected group which is excluded from representation in this House.