Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

All of us were on local authorities and we would certainly like to see this streamlined in such a way that we do not inhibit people from coming into local government and that their legitimate expenses are covered. There should be a statutory underpinning of the organisations which can arrange conferences for the benefit of local authorities. Individuals and community groups arrange conferences - good conferences are being held throughout the country - that require the attendance of councillors from time to time. By separating out the training element, we will ensure councillors get the resources to be trained properly. That may not necessarily have to count as part of their 80% attendance at meetings, which is required at the moment. There could be a separate way to deal with whatever resourcing of the training they need. It could be a separate issue from the normal attendance at council meetings, committee meetings and conferences.

In addition to that, we need to tidy up a few loose ends which have been a little bit lax for a good period of time while at the same time meeting the spirit of what Deputies Stanley and Murphy said in regard to training as well as ensuring councillors are properly resourced. That is something we could consider around the time of the local elections or shortly afterwards.