We can dream all right.

He is 75.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. We are talking about Limerick which is his own political bailiwick. I do not know if he has ambitions to run himself but he will clearly not tell us today.

It will all depend on the fall-out from other elections, of course. I support the principle of a directly elected mayor. I support the fact that Limerick had a plebiscite. Plebiscites are to be protected either way. Other plebiscites rejected this and the Minister of State must accept that as democratic. We know about Dublin but I do not propose to talk about Dublin here today. Be mindful and respectful, as a Minister of State, of the decision of the people of Dublin city and county who made their position known. T…

I ask that we do not guillotine this debate. I do not envisage it will take long. I know the Minister of State of long standing and I know his absolute commitment to local government. I know members of the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, in particular speak very highly of the Minister of State and have found him to be very constructive in his work. However, today, the Government is guillotining legislation related to the joint policing committees. What a shame and what a sham that we cannot have Commit…

There are the devolved functions by the mayor back to the chief.

It will be every ten years though.

Yes, but it is every ten years.

It is a long time. Two terms of the council will be gone by the time the next one comes.

I know there is a review.

Every ten years.

And to accept some of the amendments.

We know what the record was from the Dáil.

The record from the Dáil was not good in terms of amendments.

I know the Minister of State did.

Well done.

I move amendment No. 61: In page 97, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following: “(i) promoting and supporting the role city and county councillors play within their communities, including but not limited to the duties they had undertaken on joint policing committees before the passing of this Act, the role they play in devising and implementing local strategies relevant to community safety and their involvement within the new safety partnerships, and any national strategy may include a list of recommendation…

First, I thank the Minister. I do not doubt her commitment to local policing and community partnerships. As I said from the very outset, I engaged with many members who responded to my little survey on JPCs. I also engaged with members of LAMA, which involves the executive and the AILG. I again acknowledge them. This is legislation and I am calling a vote on the amendment because I have to show my displeasure. I could have taken away what the Minister said, reflected on it, and come back on Final Stage, but that ha…

Hear, hear.

I will speak to my amendments, namely, amendments Nos. 75 and 82. They are both in this section. I wish to record the fact that these are two amendments I will speak to but I will comment on other contributions. I do not want to single out Senators because we do business and we are pragmatic. I will not name individuals, but the record of the House will speak for itself. There was a reference to the Tánaiste. The Tánaiste is not the Minister for Justice. This is a tripartite coalition. I respect Cabinet confidentia…