Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

The Bill before the House is extremely important. It is our job to represent the local authority members who have placed their trust in us for many years. It is an honour and a privilege to be elected to the Seanad.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, for coming before the House and, as on many previous occasions, giving of his time. He is fully supportive of the local authority system and a former chairman of the General Council of County Councils which has become the Association of City and County Councils. He is a distinguished former Member of this House and prior to his election to the Dáil, he served here as the Government's spokesperson on finance.

Like many other Senators, I support the proposal before the House. However, I represent the Government side and I am, therefore, obliged to respect its decisions and those of the Department and the senior Minister. Departments are, in conjunction with Ministers, responsible for making plans in respect of long-term strategy. From time to time Ministers outline to the House the policies of various Departments and the Government. I understand a White Paper on this matter is at an advanced stage of development and will be published sometime in the future. It will deal with the reforms such as those included in the Bill which has been brought forward by Senator Cummins on behalf of Fine Gael which could be introduced. As I said, in principle, I have no difficulty with the Bill. As stated, however, I must respect the position of the Government.

The establishment of LAMA was a wonderful development. As I stated at its annual conference, I salute those pioneers who set up the association on a voluntary basis. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, served as its first secretary. In addition, Senator Walsh is numbered among its former chairmen. Former councillors Michael Lawlor and Willie McKenna who hails from Monaghan both served as chairmen of and made major contributions to it. The current chairman, Councillor Hugh McElvaney, and secretary, Councillor Noel Bourke from Edenderry, are also making tremendous contributions.

LAMA is strongly requesting parity of esteem with the Association of City and County Councils in order that it might nominate a person to go forward for election to the Seanad from the Administrative Panel. Councillor Bourke is a most efficient man and has relayed to me that it is the strong view of the association's chairman, Councillor McElvaney, and its executive that the House and the Minister and his Department should give serious consideration to its application which has been submitted to the Clerk of the Seanad.

The request made by the Government in respect of the Bill makes common sense. We should await publication of the White Paper before evaluating what progress might be made on the proposal contained in the Bill. I have been working with Senator Cummins on the matter and I am aware that he has the best interests of LAMA at heart, for which he must be commended. As stated, in these Houses we represent hard working and dedicated councillors throughout the country who give of their time - in some cases it is possible that individuals work up to 100 hours a week - in the interests of democracy. I have outlined my position on the matter and look forward to progressing it when the White Paper is published.