Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak about gender recognition and equal pay. In every survey that has been done on equal pay, women fare much poorer than men when doing exactly the same work. Could the Minister of State comment on which aspect of his review will be accounting for this? Will there be surveys in this country? There have been many carried out before. It has been well borne out that gender is a definite factor. The issue can arise when a woman is doing exactly the same work as a man, and in certain places of employment. It does not occur in every workplace, such as in government. That is recognised. It arises particularly in the private sector.

I support Senator Landy's comment on councillors. Having been a member of a council for 20 years, I realise the paying of stamps by councillors is absolutely useless. People give up work to become councillors. When I was elected mayor, I gave up teaching and lost money. One could go back to one's job but one wants to give service to the community and give it well.

The council is now so busy. Twenty years ago, there was half as much work as there is now. One learns this when one meets councillors coming back from meetings. Many councillors in the country now have to travel long distances, which is time consuming. Only those who can afford to become councillors will become councillors. That is not right either. In every job, there ought to be a level playing pitch. The whole issue must be examined. I have asked for a debate on this subject, as has Senator Landy. The sooner we have it, the better. We want the debate before the actual decisions are made because that is what the Seanad is for. It is for generating ideas and sowing seeds as well as listing to a decision when it is made. It is too late to close the door when the horse has bolted. I know we are close to this.

This issue has been ongoing ad infinitum. The Local Authority Members Association has raised it. Local authorities have been amalgamated. We have been singing from the same hymn sheet for years.