Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

Political reform must start from the bottom up. Some Senators are confusing political reform with a reduction in the number of public representatives. I fundamentally disagree with that view. I understand the Minister intends to reduce the number of county and city councillors prior to the next local government elections. Is that the case? The Minister of State did not answer my question on this issue. If that is the Minister's intention, his proposals for political reform are a farce. One will not make any progress if one does not start at the bottom and work upwards. What would be achieved by reducing the number of county councillors? Will the Minister of State clarify whether it is the intention of the Government to implement such a reduction?