Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak on amendment No. 5, subsection (dc) which refers to "the Living Wage as set for the relevant period" but before doing so, I commend the Minister of State on the work he has done in this area since coming into office. A great deal of work has been done and high standards are being achieved, but the Labour Party does not intend to stop at the minimum wage. Our intention is to have a living wage and that should be acknowledged in the House today.

I wish to speak in particular about 949 councillors throughout this country who are expected to live on €16,200 per annum. That is not even the minimum wage. I have conducted a survey on this and between one fifth and one quarter of serving councillors are full-time public representatives. The previous speaker, Senator Zappone, spoke about FIS and those councillors qualify for FIS by virtue of their low basic pay. I have always said that democracy is for everyone, not just for those who can afford to participate as public representatives. What is happening now, and I know this from my ongoing contact with councillors, is that many can no longer afford to be public representatives. They cannot raise their families or pay their bills, and that is wrong in a democracy.

I acknowledge the review, Putting People First, initiated by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, which introduced reforms to local government last June following the local elections. However, that document did not address, in any shape or form, the basic living standard that councillors should have by way of their earnings. While approximately 75% of councillors have another source of income, 25% or more do not and those people must be respected and must be able to live. I ask that as part of the review of Putting People First, the Minister of State, Deputy Nash, would intervene on the issue of councillors' income. Deputy Nash, as a former councillor in County Louth for many years, knows what I am talking about in this regard. Indeed, we often spoke about it when we were both serving as councillors. Will the Minister of State comment on this issue today because it is extremely important? I know good people of all parties and none who say openly to their communities that they cannot represent them any more because they cannot afford to do so on the pay they receive. Will the Minister of State comment and use his office to ensure the review that is taking place also considers the wages and expenses of councillors? There has been much media derision of this issue. Indeed, when I told a two-person deputation earlier today that I would be raising this issue in the House, they told me that they thought that councillors were earning approximately €30,000 per annum but councillors are earning only €16,200. The Acting Chairman was also a councillor and knows what I am talking about. We have often discussed this issue. Democracy is for everyone, not just for the rich. Public representation should also be for everyone, not just the rich. I look forward to the Minister of State's response.