As a three times elected Senator, it is my duty to uphold the principles of democracy in our little country. The slash and burn approach of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, to abolishing town councils all over Ireland disempowers Irish citizens and centralises power in the hands of unelected local authority officials. Town councils, each with a sense of identity, are drivers of economic growth, of enterprise development and of the many festivals and events they organise in towns. Many of these are based on the local produce of the area, such as the prawn festival in Howth, which is in the electoral area of Councillor Eoghan O'Brien. These local government cuts not only decrease the political representation of our citizens but also the voice of our citizens at national level.

Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I wish to ask the Leader if he will invite the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan to the House. I would like to have it out with the Minister about this addition to the democratic deficit.

How dare he add to the democratic deficit in our little country. Fianna Fáil is opposed to this attack on local democracy and it is important to remember that the 500 democratically elected town councillors will lose their jobs. The Minister is putting people out of their jobs.