Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join with the Cathaoirleach in wishing all French citizens in Ireland, and indeed, the ambassador and staff at the Embassy, a happy Bastille Day. Of course, French was the second language used in the First Dáil after Irish when the Declaration of Independence was read out in French by George Gavan Duffy. Bonne fête nationale ce mercredi à tous.

I also echo colleagues in their congratulations to Deputy Bacik, who is a committed parliamentarian and legislator. Everyone was very happy to see her election and wish her well. I have known her for a long time as somebody who is passionate about education and access. She is also somebody who will respect a person's point of view even if she disagrees with him or her. She always deals with the issue. She will be a loss to this House but a gain to the other House. I wish all the candidates the best. It takes courage to stand in a by-election. I have a little bit of knowledge of that. Well done to anyone who puts his or her name on a ballot paper.

I also commend the Garda and request that a letter of thanks goes to Sergeant Hugh Shovlin and his colleagues at Donnybrook Garda station for the abuse they had to suffer at the count. Unfortunately, we have seen members of the Garda subjected to all sorts of abuse simply for trying to protect our democracy. The gardaí behaved appropriately on Friday but we should acknowledge the role they had.

I wish to refer, though, to the next upcoming election, which is the question of the directly elected mayor for Limerick city. I have long taken the view that the Custom House in Ireland is the greatest barrier to local government and real local governance in this country. On the basis of the recommendations we are seeing appear with regard to the powers that are going to the directly elected mayor, I am really disappointed. I believe we will continue to see local administration. I favour directly elected mayors. We need to be ambitious. I would like to see it expanded around the country but the legislation that appears to be coming forward is extremely disappointing. It will not give real powers to the directly elected mayor. I would appreciate it were the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, to assure us this will not be the case.