Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy Leader for outlining the proposed Order of Business. My apologies for being delayed coming to the House. I know the Cathaoirleach, too, ran up the stairs. I do not think any Senator has delayed the start of the Seanad by ten minutes. I have just come from an amazing event. I thank the Cathaoirleach, the Ceann Comhairle and the Leader of the Seanad for presiding over the joyous and exciting unveiling of a portrait of Senator David Norris, our esteemed colleague. The Senator was very gracious and there were great speeches, as well as a significant press and photographer presence. The unveiling will be followed by further celebrations later in the day.

I wish to acknowledge David and his unique style, individualism, eloquence and energy but, more important, in this House I want to acknowledge the significance of David's remarkable crusade in respect of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, his crusade for marriage equality and his trips to the High Court, the Supreme Court and, eventually, the European Court of Human Rights. What an achievement by a man who is a Member of this House. It proves the importance of Independent politics, but also his ability to collaborate. While he may have had difficulties with some people, he always remained in good personal friendships with them and that is the mark of the man. In summary, he is a lover of life, humanities and antiquities, and an amazing mentor to young people coming into political life. I hope we will have many more days of David being a Member of this House.

I join colleagues in offering condolences to Senator Currie of Fine Gael and her family. These are sad times for them. Her father was a remarkable man who made a remarkable contribution to the political life of this island, and that needs to be acknowledged.

I raise the issue of local government funding. I know Senator Kyne has been very much to the fore in calling for this action on this issue in the context of Galway.Five municipal districts in Galway - Loughrea, Tuam, Ballinasloe, Athenry and Connemara - have rejected the municipal district budgets to take a stand about the lack of adequate funding. We need a debate in this House on local government funding. We need a debate on how the local property tax, LPT, is being administered. We need a debate about the major reduction in commercial rates. We certainly need to debate when we hear that local authorities are seeking commercial rates from private individuals who have small offices in their homes. Particularly post Covid, the scenario has changed. I join others in calling for an extensive debate on local government financing, especially focused on the problems in Galway County Council. The people in the Galway County Council area, the staff of the council and the councillors deserve our support. I would welcome an early debate in the House on that issue.