Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to raise the issue of independent councillors who have been elected to local government and the co-options of their positions. Sometimes in local governments and local county councils there is a gentleman's agreement that that councillor will be allowed to co-opt another independent councillor into that position but some councils do not have this. It is grossly unfair when there is a power grab by political parties for those independent seats in local government and the same happens in here in the Seanad. I will be tabling legislation to amend the Local Government Act in that regard. It is a fair way to deal with those co-options within local government. I will look forward to the support of my colleagues for that amendment to the local government legislation and I will hopefully bring it forward before the summer.