Mr. Patrick Connor-Scarteen:

We need a cross section of society in local government. We could have a scenario where people who are retired and people who are wealthy enter politics. Younger people who might be well educated and involved in their community, with great intentions, will be discouraged. Many people are not entering it for money. When one is starting on a basic of €16,000, with some little add-ons, it does not amount to much.

We might end up with only single people entering politics. People with families could not survive on a councillor's wage. We have to make declarations every January and everything is put down on paper by us. As my colleague said, we go before the people every five years. If they do not think we are up to scratch, they can dump us out. With all due respect to the Members, who made some very valid points, many councillors work as hard as any Senator or Deputy. That is a fact.