Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I wish to raise two issues, the first of which is the role of politicians on State boards and the vital role of democratically elected local authority members on new boards such as the new replacement for the VEC. Councillors can contribute enormously to these boards by bringing forward policies and structures. When I was elected to the Seanad, I was obliged to stand down as a member of Bord Bia. I could not understand this because I had been able to make contributions on the needs of small business and deliver changes to what Bord Bia was doing. Is it feared that a politician who is a member of a State board will do something scandalous?

Second, there must be a pension safety net for councillors who lose their seats on local authorities after giving years of service to their local communities. It is crazy that they are left without after all the work they have done in their communities.

I thank the Minister for coming to the House for this debate.