The Minister for Local Government, I understand, desires to make a statement with regard to the proposed Commission on Local Administration in Dublin City and County.
COMMISSION ON LOCAL ADMINISTRATION.
I desire permission to announce my decision in regard to the proposed Commission on Local Administration in Dublin City and County.
The following members of An Seanad and An Dáil have been invited to act on the Commission and have kindly consented to make their services available:—Senators O. St. John Gogarty, H.S. Guinness, J.T. O'Farrell, Mrs. Wyse Power; Deputies E.H. Alton, R.H. Beamish, A. Byrne, R. Corish, P.J. Egan, Prof. W. Magennis, A. McCabe.
Deputy Magennis will act as Chairman. Mr. J.J. McAsey, B.A., an experienced officer of my Department, will act as Secretary.
The Terms of Reference are as follows: To examine the several laws and the practice affecting the administration of local and public utility services, including local representation and taxation throughout the capital City of Dublin and the County of Dublin and to recommend such changes as may be desirable.
I would like to call the attention of the Minister to the fact that there is no representative of the Farmers' Party on that Committee. I do not know by what process he arrived at the composition of the Committee, but I think we should be represented on any Committee dealing with a matter which affects us so seriously.
I would submit that there should be some representative of the rural districts on the Committee, though not necessarily a member of the Farmers' Party. As far as I can see, Deputies Egan, McCabe and Corish are the only Deputies on the Committee who reside outside the City of Dublin. From the point of view of the rural population, I think it is hardly wise that that should be so.
Senator Guinness is a very large farmer. Of course, this is a matter mainly for people interested in city government. It does not so much affect the farmers, but if the farmers are anxious to have a representative, there would be no difficulty in allowing them to have one.
A representative or representatives?
They have one already.
The Commission was not selected on Party lines at all.
It is not from the point of view of party that we consider it, but from the point of view of residents in the rural district. It is a question that must be considered from that point of view.
The Minister also draws attention to the fact that it is chiefly a matter of city administration, but I think the terms of reference include County Government, and I think that is a very good reason why the rural interests should be specifically represented on such a body.
I would be willing to consider favourably any proposal the farmers may make.