Billy Lawless (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach and welcome the Minister. I also welcome the support given to councillors, who in this day and age should be on the living wage. I live in Chicago most of the time and can tell the House that the aldermen in the city council there are not alone paid more than the living wage but have a fund-raiser every second week as well where us business people have to go digging in our pockets. I think the councils here are barred from doing anything like that. Those aldermen get a living wage. When I go home to Galway at the weekends, having been here in the Seanad, every time I see my friend and colleague, Councillor Conneely, his phone never stops. It is going morning, noon and night. I am sure it is the same with councillors throughout the country. They must be supported because they are at the coalface dealing with our citizens.