Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I ask that we do not guillotine this debate. I do not envisage it will take long. I know the Minister of State of long standing and I know his absolute commitment to local government. I know members of the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, in particular speak very highly of the Minister of State and have found him to be very constructive in his work. However today, the Government is guillotining legislation related to the joint policing committees. What a shame and what a sham that we cannot have Committee and Remaining Stages next week. The Minister of State is talking about giving more powers back to local government, local councillors and the mayor. We have a lot of work to do but I welcome that the Minister of State is here. I acknowledge he is progressive when it comes to local government and he knows this brief well. He is vastly experienced in it and he is liked by the elected members which always helps. I suggest the Minister of State facilitates and works constructively with us on amendments and that we will not have the usual situation where Ministers pop in and out of here, read typed scripts and saying they have considered what Senators have said two seconds previously and cannot agree. I believe and hope the Minister of State will commit to engaging with Senators here in the Chamber and before that.Maybe we can touch base with the Minister of State's officials and iron out some of the thoughts around the proposed amendments. I thank the Minister of State.