Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I support the amendment and the points made by Senators Walsh and Twomey. In recent years we have seen the role of councillors being reduced and their powers consequently being limited. For many years they fought with successive Governments to achieve their current level of remuneration. Councillors' organisations eventually succeeded in having the facilities for and resources available to local authority members improved. We must be mindful that, as a result of the economic cutbacks, the political classes have suffered the most in losing resources and facilities.

We are not suggesting all 850 councillors should suddenly be appointed to State boards because that would never be the case. However, some of them, in some parts of the country, could be appointed from time to time. We should not restrict the areas of activity in which they could become involved. They might well bring expertise to various boards, which they bring to their respective local authorities. From the smallest town councils to the largest city and county councils, local authorities constitute a fundamental unit of democracy. Councillors are elected on merit by voters to serve and lead their communities, as well as to make decisions on their behalf. This would be an automatic extension of that franchise.