Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Senators who have contributed to this debate. I agree with Senator Bradford that there is a special relationship between 43 of the Members of this House and those who are elected at local authority level. I am willing to take on board the spirit of what people have implied in their contributions today. I will ensure, as far as possible, that we have a good and sound Bill. Like many Members of this House, including Senator Bradford but not Senator Mullen, I was a member of a local authority for 21 years. I have a little experience to bring to this matter. Throughout my lifetime, this country's system of government has been totally centralised at the expense of local government. That has particularly been the case since rates were abolished in 1977. It takes a brass neck for many speakers, particularly Senator Wilson and his Fianna Fáil colleagues, to advance the notion that this Bill will lead to the centralisation of powers.