Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for accepting the amendment and moving his own amendments. It is very important that we as a House copper-fasten the superior authority of the elected members of each local authority. I am very conscious that local authority members, especially here in Dublin, are undertaking marathon meetings, most of which have been virtual due to Covid, and it is most important that we support them to make the best possible development plans for their cities and counties. This amendment gives the power to local authority members, but most importantly also, it takes a pragmatic approach of having a simple majority.