We have argued our case substantially already on the first amendment and the Chair allowed an extensive wide-ranging discussion on it. Our second amendment deals specifically with our suggestion that the making of the charges be a reserved function of elected members. The House, taking into consideration all the views expressed, has clearly indicated its agreement that the making of the charges should be a reserved function of members of local authorities. To substantiate that I will highlight speeches made by Fine Gael Members. Labour Party backbenchers were silent on this matter and did not contribute to the debate. They seem to ignore this important legislation. Deputy A. Doyle, as reported in Volume 343 at column 303 of the Official Report, said:
I object strongly to the general principle of the Bill which makes the raising of these local charges an executive function of managers and not a reserved function of elected members. The whole principle of local government appears to be at stake. The Bill appears to be largely a matter of convenience to ensure the collection of these charges. It does not accord with any general principle. It reserves to the manager exclusively the right to impose such charges as well as the amount to be paid in any one year.
At column 317 of the Official Report of 1 June Deputy R. Bruton said:
In the setting of the structure of charges local representatives have an expertise that is second to none in deciding on what is the most appropriate structure. It is not acceptable that that decision be handed over to the manager once the councillors have decided an overall level.
The same Deputy at column 383 said:
I also regretted the fact that democratic local control is being frustrated by making the charges an executive function.
Deputy Owen, at column 405 said:
I agree with what Deputy Seán Walsh and other speakers have said, that making these charges an executive function of managers is regrettable from the point of view of local councillors.
Deputy Kenny, at column 427 said:
I have some doubts about the county managers having absolute rights in relation to the amount of charges to be introduced. This will be seen in some cases as an erosion of powers of local authority members.
Deputy Farrelly, at column 433, said:
I would be very reluctant to see county managers having this absolute power in the years to come. I am totally against such legislation.
Deputy Keating, who made a more qualified type of contribution — it was very difficult to know where he stood — at column 440 said:
I look forward to the day when elected representatives will be able to assume more control and responsibility, perhaps eventually extending into this area. But this is not the day on which that should happen because the councillors are not equipped at present to assume such responsibilities.
On that basis alone Deputy Keating's contribution should be dismissed. The House can see, however, that Deputy Keating agreed that the responsibility should be given to elected councillors although he felt they had not matured enough at present, a strange allegation for him to make and one which he denied and contradicted in other parts of his contribution. Those quotations sum up the Fine Gael point of view but we did not hear anything from the Labour Party backbenchers. The Minister and the Minister of State said that if it was the wish of Members that this power be a reserved function of elected members of county councils in the future they might agree to it. Why are they ignoring the expressed wishes of Members who have made a contribution to the debate? My other reasons for moving the amendment have been outlined.