Hear, hear.

Before calling Senator Lombard, I would like to welcome to the Public Gallery Mr. John O'Sullivan and also colleagues of Senator Devine from the Psychiatric Nurses Association and the INMO. They are very welcome.

I raise the issue of the proposed new local authority boundaries in Cork. The boundaries in question were finalised via legislation passed by the Oireachtas in recent weeks. One of the provisions in that legislation stipulates that plebiscites in respect of directly-elected mayors for Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford be held. I think that is a positive step, but the information required for that debate is going to be key over the next 16 weeks. In that time, there will be a robust debate on whether directly-elected mayors will be good for these cities and whether they constitute a positive development for society and democracy. The lack of a commission to inform the public is something we need to discuss. A referendum commission must be appointed in order that people might be given information about both sides of the argument.

We had a debate on the matter recently.

We did. We need to consider the establishment of a referendum commission. There is a vacuum and we need to fill it with information.

I am sure the Leader will-----

I put it to the Leader that we need to have a debate on how such information might be provided. He is very much aware of the issues on the ground. I am of the view that we need to start discussing the spread of false information and that we need to start informing the public. When they vote on 14 May, they will be voting on very significant issues. Not only will they be voting in the European elections, they will also be deciding whether the cities to which I refer will have directly-elected mayors. A referendum commission could provide people with the relevant information in this regard in order to empower them and allow them to form opinions.