Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues in supporting the amendment of the Order of Business today. The Leader and all my colleagues across the House will recall the lively debates we had in the run-up to Christmas. We believe this needs more time. We only returned on Monday and Tuesday of this week. Today is only Wednesday. There is also a proposal that the Seanad will not sit one day next week. We have a lot of business to do. Having looked at the schedule and the conduct of our business for some months, it has become evident that people are under pressure and shorter timeframes are being proposed. I understand that people have commitments but we also have commitments as elected Members of this House. We want to exercise due diligence in respect of legislation. I hope, therefore, that the Leader will be sympathetic and supportive. I know she is supportive of many of the proposed changes. She articulated that support well and in fairness to her and her colleagues, she teased out at great length some of this legislation with the Minister for Justice. I too have engaged with the Minister for Justice outside these Houses. I have made a case on behalf of some of our Members. We think we should have the opportunity today. We should move away from guillotining where at all possible. We are democrats. We all want debate and discussion. I hope the Leader will agree with the proposal and I think she will. It is a matter for her, and I respect that, just as it is a matter for us to propose a change to the Order of Business. It would be helpful for all sides.

Having talked last night to representatives of the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, and to various councils from all parties and none, I know they are watching this space. They believe they have a good cross-party case. All parties met us on this issue before Christmas. They will be tuned in and to be fair to them and the work they have done and the commitment they have given to the joint policing committees, we can reach a compromise. Let us work together in a collaborative way on behalf of the city and county councillors who elect most of us, although not all of us, to this House.

I would like to remember the late Councillor Con O'Leary, an Independent from Cork, who died and was buried last week. He was a great character. He was an Independent councillor for Cork and had a small shop called Con's Shop. The word, "Con", had many connotations in itself but he was a lovely man. He was elected in 1991 and sought re-election in 1999. Indeed, I think he may have run as an Independent candidate in a general election. I know the Cathaoirleach knew him particularly well. That is what I have to say.

I ask the Leader to consider the reasonable request before her today.