Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his patience. I agree with Senator Barrett on this. Where power is invested in a local individual, those autocratic people are suddenly given the power to put a number of puppets in place who will behave as desired. I would have no problem with the local authority chief executive making a recommendation while the final decision rested with the Minister of the day. Like Senator Barrett, I consider that the Minister would have a far more democratic view of the world than a Civil Service appointed chief executive.