Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. It is a difficult issue to raise here, given that to be in public service is almost regarded as a crime. I am not afraid to say these people are being treated very badly by the State. In anticipation of the Minister of State's answer, I have already alerted the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection that I will be proposing a debate on this. People who are tied up with council work suffer a serious career disadvantage. We have let our councillors down extremely badly. Although some time ago, we promised to align their salaries with those of Senators, we have not done it. We are taking 4% out of their pockets, for which they receive nothing. We must devise an opt-in solution by which a councillor who is not employed and does not have an independent source of income can opt in for a class A stamp. It will cost them no more. It is an outrage to take 4% from somebody and give them nothing in return. The Minister of State is a man of his word and is always willing to try to achieve results, as is Senator Landy. I am very happy to join him and work on this. I call on councillors to lobby for this. Let us not be ashamed of the fact that we are serving the State and that we are entitled to some recompense for it.