Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Callely's call for the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Barry Andrews, to come to the House to clarify the Government position on inter-country adoption. The amount of foot-dragging and indecisiveness on this issue is causing great concern and distress to families in this State and abroad. Urgent clarification is required.

Many local authorities are struggling to provide the services they are obliged to deliver. One might go so far as to say they have an unfunded mandate at the front line of communities. Will the Leader allow for a debate on local government reform, as has been called for in this House on many occasions? Candidates from all parties are currently knocking on doors throughout the State and are receiving varied receptions. There should be encouragement for those who are prepared to enter public life and public service. It is disappointing to see elements of the media and politicians themselves attempting to undermine or discourage them. This is not good for democracy and politics and is something from which we should all refrain. Fine Gael is delighted to have Mr. George Lee as its candidate in the Dublin South by-election. Such endeavours should be encouraged by Members on all sides of the House.

There is a strong need for local government reform so that we can restructure the services it provides and introduce new efficiencies. Attempts to improve local government in the past ten years have not been successful. This is evident in the numbers of front-life staff being let go on a daily basis in local authorities throughout the State while the layers of management remain in place. Increasingly, there is nobody to whom to delegate the important work that must be done, even though the expenditure involved remains substantial. I call for a debate on this issue with specific focus on the proposals for directly elected mayors. This is fine in principle and should be encouraged. However, I am concerned at the lack of detail provided. What powers will these mayors have and what will be their remit? How will they undertake their duties, either with or against the county or city executive? All these issues must be clarified. We have heard certain names being touted as potential candidates for these positions in various locations. Some of these names are a cause for alarm, such as that of the former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern. The latter has done enough damage to the economy and I would hate to see him do the same to Dublin city.