David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak to the amendment because I support the thrust of what is proposed. The Minister has outlined what he means by community elements and economic elements of the plan. I understand that it is part of the local community development committees which are being established. If we are to develop community and economic elements of a plan, that will give rise to a number of issues relating to the amendments we tabled that we have not had an opportunity to discuss as they have been ruled out of order.

One of the aspects of the Bill to which I am opposed is the merger of a number of local authorities, including in Waterford, but also in other areas without giving people the opportunity to have their say. One of the reasons I am opposed to that is because, on balance, there are different economic and community needs in the city and county of Waterford and I am concerned that if the Bill is passed and if the authorities formally amalgamate after the next local elections, in some circumstances it would be difficult to come up with community and economic plans that could cut across an entire local authority area. Perhaps what the Minister is suggesting is that each local electoral area will have its own plan. He could indicate whether that is the case. I do not wish to rehearse the previous arguments but I am genuinely concerned at the manner in which we are pushing forward with the Bill and ruling amendments out of order.