Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

——for the 90th anniversary, including on the Taoiseach's website.

Before the summer recess we should hold a debate on local government, particularly the rights and powers of councillors. Another issue is the pension rights of councillors. I and other Senators attended the LAMA conference last week which debated councillors' entitlement to pensions. I support them on that issue. There should be a debate on this issue and on the role of councillors and local government. Most Members of this House are elected by councillors and we must maintain that connection. We are no longer allowed to be councillors as well, so we must keep up the special relationship the Seanad has with councillors and ensure we raise their issues in this House.