Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support my colleague, Senator McDowell. We cannot have the courts held up. People are waiting years to bring cases before the courts. Now we are told we will have to wait for legislation which may take a year to get through this House. We cannot have the courts held up. If there is some agreement in place, then it should be published. In the meantime, we need an interim agreement which will allow for the appointment of judges.

I support my colleague, Senator Leyden, on his comments regarding gardaí. We cannot have gardaí on strike.

This year, we started off in a spirit of co-operation and working together in this House. At least that is what I thought we were doing until I read the Irish Independentthis morning. It had a report that Fine Gael Senators met with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, last night in secret to discuss the remuneration terms and conditions which will apply to city and county councillors. The Seanad had a committee in place on this matter which had only one meeting and has not met since. I understand an announcement is to be made at a forthcoming Local Authorities Members Association, LAMA, conference. What does that say about co-operation and Members working together to do the job we are here to do? It is bloody despicable if that meeting was held last night. At the very least, this House deserves an explanation from the Leader if it did happen. I would be happier to hear it did not happen.