Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all of my old friends from LAMA. I do not know whether one would call it elevation because local government is the primary sector of local democracy, but I am looking for a greater devolution of functions from central to local government. What is local is still the most important, regardless of where one sits.

This is the first body of representatives we have had here today who have come with no secretarial support. They must do it all themselves. The other two bodies had such support. Those who provided such support did not contribute, but they were present. The two bodies each have an office and backup support, whereas the Local Authority Members Association does not have any of this. Stating councillors should bear the brunt of all the cuts is demeaning. To function well, councillors need backup services, including social services. One cannot expect one voluntary body to do this on its own. It is an issue about which I have spoken previously and about which I will speak more; it is one I will not let go.

It should be recognised, particularly having regard to European legislation, that LAMA when engaged in collective bargaining on behalf of its members plays an important role which we should recognise. Whereas policy is important, those who implement it need training and support. That is why it is important to have LAMA recognised as a training body for councillors. If one does not receive training in good planning, one will not be a good councillor and who better to provide such training?

A positive aspect on which LAMA lobbied is the second legal opinion. This has been recognised in local government thanks to organisations such as LAMA.

There will be fewer women involved in local government it if is the case that - I will not describe them as "salaries" as they are representational payments - it is not recognised that child care, which is important, costs money. One of the councillors mentioned the issue, particularly in rural areas where people have miles to cover and fuel is not getting cheaper. If we want to encourage more women to become involved in politics, one cannot expect only those with money, those who are able to fund themselves by putting petrol in their cars to be councillors. One must recognise that it costs money to be a councillor.

Class A PRSI has long been mentioned as an issue. I do not know how we will get a hold of it. It is unfair if one pays into something - I did it for 20 years - and does not receive anything for it. There are many matters that need to be looked at.

There are many positive measures, responsibility for which has been devolved to districts. LAMA is the first to welcome many of them, but I will not go into this matter because we are tied to time. If I have more time, I will come back to them.