Jim Higgins
Question:1 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the number of Ministers and Ministers of State who are members of local authorities or members of subsidiary bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of Local Authorities.
In accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1991, no member of the Government or Minister of State is a member of a local authority. One Minister of State, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, is a member of a vocational education committee and of a number of its subsidiary bodies.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that section 13 (1) of the Local Government Act, 1991, states specifically that a person who is a Minister of a Government or a Minister of State shall be disqualified from being elected, chosen or appointed as a member of a local authority, and that a vocational education committee — in this case County Donegal Vocational Education Committee — is in fact a statutory local authority and that while this might not be enshrined in the exact workings of the Bill, it contravenes and flouts the spirit of the Bill?
I will convey those views to the Minister of State, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, to step aside in this instance?