Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I find myself in the extraordinary situation that Senator Malcolm Byrne and, I take it, Senator Fitzpatrick, who are both Government Senators, and I have, without any collaboration, proposed exactly the same amendment. That makes for a very interesting dynamic in the House. We look forward to the outcome of our proceedings.

I absolutely agree with Senator Malcolm Byrne. Rather than the bigger question of city and county councillors and other boards, I wish to stick with this particular issue. We are dealing with the board of MARA here. Let us be clear that MARA will not be granting planning permissions directly. It is ultimately the board. We need to be clear because there was a case made by some officials when I discussed this with the Minister. He said there was always that potential conflict and mentioned the planning tribunals and the distance between the elected members and planning decisions. However, while MARA will be granting licences, it will not be granting planning permissions. That is an important point. I served two terms on the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. There were four councillors nominated to it from the local authority from all parties and we did an exceptionally good job. I am familiar with Galway, Waterford, Wexford, Drogheda and all the ports around the country. We all know councillors play a meaningful role. They are elected but they also have their finger on the pulse. They understand the community. They understand the connection it has with the sea, be that to do with leisure and recreation, the new dimension and dynamic added to the coast with the 5 km, which will be falling back into the planning authorities and the challenges with renewables, as well as all the potential they bring. It is going to be an enormous thing. Elected city and county councillors have skill and local knowledge and they represent people. We talk about bringing people with us and councillors are elected by the people and they should have a meaningful role in this.

Ultimately however, this legislation was passed in the Dáil and I cannot see the Minister of State coming in here and changing it and then going back to the Dáil tomorrow or the day after. Here we are now with Government Senators suggesting we amend it. It is an interesting dynamic and an interesting debate. I am absolutely supportive of it. I never apologise for making the case for city and county councillors in relation to their role, function and for valuing them as people who represent the community.I support Senators Malcolm Byrne and Fitzpatrick. I hope we will get agreement across the House on this important initiative.

I also want to speak to support the amendment, which Senators Byrne and Fitzpatrick are not involved with, which is amendment No. 46. It states: "In page 52, lines 27 and 28, to delete “or a local authority"." Yet again, there is a reference to the local authority, which I propose should be removed. We need to do business with local authorities. They are the planning authorities and they have a whole load of other functions.

Amendment No. 52 is included in this group of amendments. Again, it has been tabled by Senators Malcolm Byrne and Fitzpatrick and it refers to elected members being chief executives. I draw the line at that. I am fully supportive, but there are many other skill sets required. A person could not be both, but he or she could be a sitting member of a city or county council and be a member of MARA. I do not see any conflict there. Senator Byrne must tease out the amendment further. That said, I support him. I hope the Minister of State will agree with him. No doubt this will then go back to the Dáil if it is accepted here today.