I welcome the Canadian ambassador to the Upper House in this bicameral Parliament of ours. I particular welcome his delegation here. Canada is a beacon of light in many regards and the Irish people and Government very much value the very special relationship with Canada. I wish the delegation the very best of luck and every success in its visit to the Oireachtas.

I will raise one issue with the Deputy Leader. We have exactly 949 city and county councillors in our country. Every week or two weeks I am up here on my feet asking the same question. Indeed, I asked the same question of the Deputy Leader the last time, which was that we would have a briefing in relation to the findings, outcome, recommendations and the plan for the implementation of the local government task force. There has been no progress that I am aware of. Nobody has come back to me. There has been no discussion in this House about it despite numerous requests. As we end our time this term, it is very disappointing.

To the 949 councillors, all I can say again when I communicate with them in my end-of-week letter is that there has been no progress. That is exceptionally disappointing in a House where the majority of people are elected through the franchise of our city and county councillors across 31 local authorities. It says something about our commitment to drive forward. We cannot predetermine the outcome of the task force but we can demonstrate on the floor of this House our determination to see it implemented, or at least published and its task force implemented. I will make another call: that we have a briefing and direct timeline for the implementation of the local government task force.

I will wrap up on a positive note by singling out the president of the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, Councillor Mary Hanna Hourigan. I cannot thank her enough. I know I speak on behalf of many advocates in local government by referring to her exceptional work as the president of the Association of Irish Local Government. I wish her well on her successful tenure and I have great hopes for her for the future. I thank her, on behalf of our city and county councillors, for the amazing advocacy work she has done in Ireland, the UK, the islands and across the European Union in relation to local government. She has served local government well and with distinction. It is only right and proper we should acknowledge the absolute commitment she has given the job as uachtarán of AILG.

Hear, hear.