Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I take the Minister's word that there was a significant period of consultation but everything about this Bill seems to remove the opportunity for locally-elected people to have a serious input into the ports' boards. The boards would have oversight of what goes on. We seem to be empowering chief executives and disempowering elected people, a theme which appears to run right through everything that has happened in the State. Has there been consultation with county councillors? I have been contacted by many of them asking me to ensure that councillors' positions on boards are not removed. I understand the Minister said that a councillor board member may have a conflict of interest if he or she returns to the council and a particular item is being discussed. There are ways around this potential conflict, such as having non-voting board members or consultant board members. The exclusion of locally elected representatives from the harbour boards is causing outrage around the country. I would appreciate if the Minister would deal with that concern.