Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for attending.

Much in the same vein as what Senator Boyhan has already stated, we in this committee are a year on from discussing an interim report that had little in it to begin with and spoke only to the factual position. Given that we were due to have this report at the end of the summer recess, if we could have clarity this morning that this process will be put to bed it would be welcome.

I welcome the clarification on "Morning Ireland" this morning. As with all major announcements of significance in this country, such as the budget, the national development and all internal Committee of Public Accounts documents, it went on that programme first. I welcome the "Morning Ireland" clarification. If, perhaps, as Senator Boyhan said, we could get official clarification for the record of the Houses as to the standing, I would appreciate that.

I have a couple of questions. Can the Minister of State confirm that the increase would cost €7.5 million per annum? Has the Minister discussed the cumulative amount with the Minister for Finance and has he committed to the process? Has the Minister of State discussed it with the Taoiseach and has he committed to the process?

I refer to the discussions and the position of the AILG, representatives of which are in the Public Gallery and whom I welcome. Has the Minister of State discussed it in terms of the indicative figure with the County and City Managers Association and local authority directors of finance in the context of future budgets?

Is it going to be a situation where this will be funded in the interim by the Exchequer or by internal financing? Can the Minister confirm, in respect of his statement on committing to the back pay, that the increment that would be put forward would be backdated to the point of the election in 2019? If the Minister's position is still the same, can he enlighten us on where that funding will come from on the basis that county council budgets for the current year, 2019, would have been put together in November 2018? Councils which currently pay local representatives would not have adjudicated for such expenditure in the 2019 period. Is it the case that such moneys due to councillors in 2019 would be met from central Exchequer funds? How is that going to be accommodated going forward into 2020?