Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Some of them are. Some local councillors are proactive. When someone wants something done, that person must ensure she gets involved and does it. Some local councillors are doing that. Senator Boyhan will concur in this regard. Councillors in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have come up with a good plan on housing on a cross-party basis. Sometimes when we want to get something done we have to involve ourselves and ensure that we are part of it rather than always being against something. In that way we can get delivery.

Another question is the ability to contact staff in local authorities since they work set hours.

If one is working full-time in another capacity accessing answers to queries is not always possible. Issues like this need to be examined as well. We need to appreciate the work local councillors do. The majority of them become councillors because they want to make a difference in their communities, not because of the salary. Councillors across all parties get a hard time. There are good people in all parties and this needs to be recognised. If we had indicators regarding what they are doing, how they are performing and recognition of that work, it would go a long way.