Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

No. I know that man's views because I know how disgracefully he was treated in regard to a port company.

We oppose the section. It is a studied assault on local democracy and on decent people. Everyone in this House would defend the right of local authority members to be on those boards. The number of board members is being reduced. I understand that the Minister may appoint one board member. We on this side of the House do not accept that. It is wrong. We, as politicians who have put ourselves forward for so many years to be elected, and who are fortunate to be here, should not show such scant regard for colleagues serving on local authorities who do such good work.

Members opposite and the Minister will have the chance to respond to tell me how firmly that is Government policy. Senators will agree this is creeping through all Departments. As Senator Ellis pointed out, we have seen this before although I cannot remember the last instance of it. It seems as though someone in the so-called permanent government is getting at the Government of the day. These instances have occurred once or twice in the ten years or so that I have been a Member of the House. We need to cry "Halt". As politicians, we should have the guts to put down the appropriate amendment, which I hope we will. We are all behind it. I would like to think Ministers would not think differently to us on how local democracy should be conducted.

I did not hear what Senator McCarthy said about Bantry. I believe Bantry and Fenit — Senator O'Sullivan may be more competent when it comes to Fenit — are strategically located ports and they should be made autonomous. Putting Bantry in with Cork is not something anyone in Bantry wants. There is approximately 100 miles of coastline between Bantry and Cork. Bantry is a very busy port in its own right and it deserves encouragement even if sufficient funding is not available currently. Equally, Fenit deserves to be autonomous, not to become an adjunct of Foynes and Shannon. I have no doubt Senator O'Sullivan will contribute on that point. Other than those points I have nothing further to say and I am happy to hand over to my colleague.