Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her extensive response and for clarifying how we got to the final positions, as well as the flexibility that will be afforded by the regulations, the composition, the rationale in respect of the various amendments and her clarification regarding the position in respect of the chairs and the membership. That is important in the context of this debate. As has been stated, people are listening to this debate. It is important that they hear this clearly from the Minister in a calm manner. I respect the position of every Member of the House, as parliamentarians, to table amendments to the Bill, challenge the Minister and to probe and have that conversation. However, I utterly reject some of the charges that were made by Senator Boyhan. He is one of the most enlightened and respectful politicians in the Chamber, but I would regard some of his remarks, such as saying that somehow we woke up to the issue because selection conventions and European elections are forthcoming, as simply trash talk towards members of this party. I have been a politician for a long time. This summer, it will be 25 years since I was first elected. I have never looked at what I do in my work as relating to the next seat or the next chamber. My record shows that. I do the job before me here and now.

The Senator knows this well. He was here for the discussion in autumn, before the Bill came to the House, on the future of local democracy, and contributed significantly to it. That issue was thrashed out here on that occasion with members of local government, including members of the AILG and LAMA, and addressed by the Leader, who is sitting in front of me.

References to the Tánaiste were made. This issue was of significance and was discussed with him at Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meetings, just as it was discussed with the Taoiseach at Fine Gael Parliamentary Party meetings. That is what you do. As the Senator rightly stated, you advocate and you make your position clear and people become involved in discussions and issues. When it boils down to it, we have the clarity afforded to us not from one single debate but from all the debates that were held within parties and the Senator's group and in this Chamber. We have arrived at a position where the Minister - whom I take at her word - explained in response to a previous amendment tabled by Senator Boyhan the situation in respect of membership, how that can go beyond the seven afforded and the provisions relating to the election of the chair of the new body.

I hope all those listening in or reflecting on the written statements and the record of the House today can respect all those positions. As the Minister rightly stated, this is about making sure that those appointed to this body, whetter they are local authority members, Oireachtas Members or community leaders, do their best to make sure the towns and cities in which we live achieve the cohesiveness that is required and An Garda Síochána listens to all those voices in order that policing, with which we have been so lucky for a century, will be done by consent rather than by force for the next century. That will come down to engagement at that level. That should be the focus of everyone here this evening.