John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I take on board fully the Deputy's points about employees. While Ms Moorhead is aware of the issue, devising a solution that would be satisfactory for employers is difficult. However, it is an issue that has to be grasped. Otherwise, councils will be composed solely of wealthy, retired or unemployed people. We need a mix. The question is whether a system can be devised to provide people with more time off. There is also the lack of family-friendly arrangements. When I started 20 years ago, many of the meetings were held in the afternoons and evenings. That has changed to a great extent. Council employees and management have lives and families as well and the question of how to strike a balance is being considered. The role of the councillor has changed considerably and Deputy Casey is correct to state that the public has a view of what councillors do whereas the actual role involves a great deal more. However, I think the public still greatly values a good councillor in their area.