Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has taken decisions about local government that had been put off for decades. Tackling vested interests is not easy, nor is making decisions that will have an effect on people for many years to come, but he has shown himself to be a Minister who will take decisions in people's best interests. They are often tough decisions, but they will provide a local government system that will see us through for many years to come. It is the greatest shake-up in local government that we have seen since the system's inception.

I compliment the Minister and his officials on the Bill and welcome the opportunity afforded by this Second Stage debate to comment on it. I look forward to teasing out each of the sections on Committee Stage and welcome the Minister's willingness to accept amendments that will improve the Bill.