Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Not 1874, although that was a very interesting year for local government. In 1974, councillors did not get paid at all. There was no money and that is the truth. One did not get paid for attending meetings of sub-committees either. Meetings then were very active and vibrant. That is still the case. People do not get involved in local government for money. Most people want to be councillors because they believe in improving their communities. The problem is that as time has gone on, the demands on councillors have increased enormously. There are issues with family-friendly hours, particularly for those councillors who already other jobs. Councillors are out at night a great deal, attending public meetings and so on. They do an awful lot of work. I would not measure the work of a councillor in terms of a sum of €35,000 because I do not believe that is adequate. In my view, there should be fewer councillors but they should be better paid. I do not know if that is an option but it could be looked at in the studies that will be undertaken. I do not know what happens in other countries because I am not involved in local government on the ground anymore. Being a councillor is a full time job, particularly if one wants to do the work properly and to address the widespread and significant community issues involved. I would set the pay at a higher level than the sums that have been mentioned here but would reduce the number of councillors elected. The public would get a better deal in that way.

Reference was also made to the reform of local government structures and the idea of directly elected chairpersons is a good one. We also need to see more power devolved to elected members but, in return, they must be more accountable.

That is the road to take. The sense of powerlessness is incredible. When one is on a council one does not have any real power at all. The council is an echo chamber and there is no real grasp of issues. Sometimes councillors do not wish to take that responsibility. Sometimes they are delighted that the manager makes the awkward or unpopular decision. Councillors must make unpopular decisions and be paid for their work. I agree that further study should be undertaken and the time can be abridged until next spring or whatever. The problem is that one cannot get people to stand for election. People just will not join a council because the work does not pay, the hours are not family friendly and councillors have no power. This is an important discussion to commence and it has gone on for a long time. My party has found it difficult to get candidates, particularly female candidates, to stand for local elections as they have families. I acknowledge that men have children too and am not trying to be sexist in my comments. I am trying to be honest and truthful at the same time. To get the proper balance, I have outlined what one needs. We are starting on the road, which is welcome. Truthfully and honestly, I do not know what happened in other countries. Having to travel to so many meetings on the one day is a joke and is wrong.