Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I hope we will all still be in the Oireachtas in a few months' time to see the Minister of State implement the report. It seems, however, that nothing will happen on this issue prior to the local elections next May. Given the consultations with Departments and the Government and in view of lead-in times, etc., let us be honest and fair and tell the people this.

Many of the people who are listening to this debate would be offended if they thought their job was being described as part-time in nature. There are many councillors for whom the role is full-time. The Minister of State's party is full of such councillors and I am talking to them. The Minister of State knows them well because he knows the system. I was elected in 1999 and there was no money then. I am not saying that money is everything but there are councillors who must dip into their own pockets and into their families' money in order to subvent their incomes.

A Fianna Fáil councillor in the midlands who has two children studying at UCD told me recently that she came home one day and her husband told her to get a real job because being a councillor does not pay. She said that she was making a commitment to her community and that she was a community advocate. He said that it was not paying the bills, that they had two children studying at UCD and that she could just get out of it because being a councillor is a waste of time. She was very disappointed but had to face the reality that she could not afford to stay in the business.

The role is full-time for many people and they do not want to hear that it is a part-time role. These people are full-time because they give it the commitment. The position needs their commitment. Not all councillors develop and progress at the same level, but there are many who give to the role seven days a week. They are in the Minister of State's own group and his constituency. I am sure they are great supporters of the Minister of State. He knows them. I do not have to convince him. We need to be clear that a lot of people are doing this seven days a week. This is not an exaggeration. All I ask is for a fair deal for the councillors and a fair day's pay. Senators, Deputies and Ministers are well paid. I want a fair crack of the whip for these councillors, who are local politicians. They deserve that recognition.

I acknowledge all of the Minister of State's comments, but let us be clear with Ms Moorhead going forward. I would not like to think that she might be told that being a councillor is a part-time role for a part-time salary. For many, it is a full-time role. Councillors also serve on sub-committees and educational boards and with other agencies that are affiliated to local government. It is important to note that many do this on a full-time basis and that the remuneration they receive is their only source of income. They could not do anything else because they devote so much time to being councillors.

I thank the Minister of State for coming before the committee. We now have greater clarity. Correct me if I am wrong but the reality is that there will not be a new remuneration package for councillors prior to the local elections. If there is different information, perhaps the Minister of State will outline it.