Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The last Government made a number of serious errors, one of which was an attempt to abolish this House. I am thankful the people resoundingly rejected that. Another action, which was more successful, was the abolition of town council governance. I draw Members' attention to the fact that my party colleague, Deputy Shane Cassells, will move a Bill in the Lower House today asking for a commission to be set up that would report in the next six months, with proposals to restore an enhanced form of town government. Many colleagues would be glad to hear of that. The idea is the commission would report in time for local elections in 2019 to town councils as well as county councils. Towns have suffered much in recent years due to the economic downturn and the town council was a very important facet of life and support for business people in small towns in rural Ireland. Members will welcome this Bill if and when it comes before this House.

I hope I will not be accused of being parochial but I will comment on the announced retirement of the Leas-Chathaoirleach's fellow townsman from Gaelic football, Mr. Colm Cooper, or the "Gooch", as he is also known. I do not need to say anything about Colm Cooper as Members will know he has been universally admired as one of the greatest exponents of Gaelic football of all time.