Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. It is great news that Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is reflective of society at large. It is important to have a gender balance in our local authorities that reflects the communities they serve. Councillor Lorraine Hall is on our committee. On foot of the Moorhead report’s recommendations on the non-pay items, we have established a sub-group to examine maternity benefit for elected representatives. Elected representatives are officeholders, not employees, which means they are different under employment law. We have really to work on this. The group has had two meetings. Several female councillors, representing different geographical areas, are considering this. I want to come up with a response that is meaningful, that women will use, that will be supportive and that will encourage more women to enter politics. It is so important that all our local authorities reflect the communities they serve. I am very supportive of that as Minister of State.

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