Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses most sincerely for coming in and sharing their experience and expertise with this committee. I am aware of how hard they all work. Each of them is absolutely an expert on the needs of their communities. That is a huge resource which is not sufficiently recognised. I am so glad that we are able to hear directly about the issues that matter to them and the biggest challenges that they face in the course of their work. They have been honest and open, which is powerful.

I have a few questions which I will ask generally. What is the biggest obstacle for the witnesses when they are trying to work on behalf of their constituents? How can we here empower them to help their communities? Some of the witnesses have touched on the directly elected mayor system. I wanted to hear a little more about that. Some of them touched on it. Can they speak a little about their relationship with council management? I would like to hear a little more about that. How does that relationship impact their work? Does it enhance it or not? The issue of childcare is really important. There is no doubt that childcare is vital. I like the idea of the virtual meetings. That is a really good idea and I am glad to hear that the maternity leave for councillors scheme is working but I would like to hear more about what they think of paternity leave. It is important to have paternity leave because men often do not get a look-in when it comes to that area.