Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I am very familiar with the Independent group that was included last year because we lobbied for it. It had not been included in the initial proposals and we pulled together a group of Independents to make a submission to the then Minister of State with responsibility for the matter, Deputy Phelan, the year before last. To be fair to him, he was very keen to facilitate that.

The Minister of State, Deputy English, summed it up when he stated it is important every generation have an opportunity, to which I would add that all generations should have an equal opportunity, be they diverse or whoever they are, to participate in local democracy. The work the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has been doing is exceptional. I acknowledge also Ms Louise Purcell, an assistant principal officer who has really driven this and taken responsibility for it within the Department. She has kept in touch with the city and county managers, the chief executives and the local authority and councillor groups, so I acknowledge her participation and support, as well as that of the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke. It is all very progressive and will, I hope, bring in more new candidates.

Let us continue to keep the focus equally on supporting in their work those who wish to stay on as city and county councillors. We need every generation to get involved. Local government is best served by having a mix of people with diverse views and a mix of generations.