David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In reply to Senator Denis Landy, if the Government lives up to its promise, which I doubt, in terms of proper reform of Seanad Éireann, he may not be quite so reliant as he imagines on the local authorities. I hope this House will be democratised, as we were promised after being promised it would be extinguished. I do not intend to become involved in a load of political blather, of which there has been enough.

On behalf of my group, we appreciate the Minister spending time here and dealing in a calm, rational and informative way with all of the matters raised. We may not have seen eye to eye on everything - various Members on all sides of the House would have liked to have seen further movement - but it is an evolving process. I certainly hope the Bill will work out well for the people. It is now being passed by the Oireachtas and we must live with the results. I only hope, as has been said, that it will strengthen local democracy at a time when communities all over the countryside are vulnerable and diminishing as a result of emigration, etc., and so many institutions have been closed down or discredited.

I thank the Minister and ask him because the officials have left which, perhaps procedurally, is the appropriate course for them to take to thank the civil servants who attended with him because they also showed forbearance and patience. It is not in every job that one must hang around until after 8.15 p.m.; it has, undoubtedly, been a long day for them. The Seanad should express its thanks also to the Minister's advisers who do a useful job. It is not always what we want to hear, but it is certainly useful. They should be appreciated as much as the Minister.