Judiciary and housing minister
The Leader returned to the judicial appointments issue, defended the Judiciary, and then shifted to the Housing Minister’s upcoming appearance and changes he said were being made. Senator Landy challenged him, accusing him of giving opinion rather than fact, and said he would resend correspondence on the matter.
Yes, in time. The Bill is complex and requires detailed analysis, probing and consideration. I will be happy to have the Minister come to the House to discuss the issue, but it is important to recognise the significance of the work the Judiciary has undertaken, that the Judiciary has been independent and served the State well.
Senators Victor Boyhan and Máire Devine referred to the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. I confirm that the Minister will be in the House in just two weeks, on 8 February. As Senator Máire Devine knows, the changes the Minister has announced to councillors' pay and conditions will be the subject of a regulation to be introduced on 1 July. It must be recorded that, for the first time in 15 years, we have a Minister who is willing to make changes. Whether we agree or if he has gone too far or not far enough is a matter of opinion, but he is the only Minister in the Department who has done anything, despite the views expressed in correspondence and commentary by certain Members of the House. I stand to be tested in saying that, but I know that it is the correct answer. It is a fact.
Comment on this
That is the Leader's opinion. It is not a fact.
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I know that the Leader wants to have a go at me. This is his opportunity.
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The Senator wrote to every councillor about the former Minister, but I can tell him that the former Minister did nothing and that the Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, has had the courage to try to do something. Whether the Senator disagrees, he should, at least, give the Minister credit.
Comment on this
I will again give the Leader the correspondence I sent on the matter.