Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Over recent days, I have made my position and that of 54 of the 57 councillors in Galway very clear. Councillors in Galway are supportive of the Minister of State's intentions for the future of Galway and its councils, but they are not supportive of this Bill moving that forward. Our opposition is based on our belief that those who are local know what is best. I have listened to Senators on the Government side speaking in glowing terms about what county councillors in Cork want and do not want. Perhaps it is time to look west and take note of what councillors in Galway city and County Galway want.

I have been contacted in my office and I have discussed those contacts with many people. I ask the Minister of State to remove all references to Galway from the Bill, including the references in section 39, on pages 32 and 33 of the Bill, and in section 43, on page 35 of the Bill. It would save us an awful lot of time if the Minister of State would agree tonight to withdraw these references to the city and county of Galway. If he does not do so, I will push these amendments to a vote.