Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her engagement. I also thank Senator Ruane who has put huge effort into this Bill. We are only interested in this particular section of the legislation because it has a major effect on us.My heart is in local government and every councillor in the country knows that. I have to be their voice here today and that is why I am pressing amendment No. 72, which clearly states that at least one elected public representative of a local authority shall be a member of every community safety partnership in each administrative area of each local authority. I will be pressing amendment No. 80 as well, which provides that the chairperson of every community safety partnership in each administrative area in each local authority shall be an elected member of a local authority. These amendments were tabled by me and Senator Craughwell and I know that Senator Boyhan will also support them. I am going to press these amendments today because they cement the role of the councillor within the community safety partnerships. I ask my colleagues to support these two amendments and I know that the House will do the right thing here this afternoon.