Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know the Leader will do likewise, and I expect all-party support for the issue. I am bringing this up now because I want to circulate the motion today and I welcome amendments from anybody in the House. Tomorrow I will propose an amendment to the Order of Business.

This is urgent because, although the Lansdowne Road agreement has just been finalised and unions are about to vote on it, we have left one of the lowest paid sectors in the country out of it, namely our county councillors. They are our constituents and, yes, we will be calling on them for votes. The least we might do is represent their interests in this House. To do that, we will need to bring in both the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, who holds the purse strings. Both the Leader and the Whip on the Fine Gael side have spoken of their dismay at the way in which councillors are being treated in respect of payments. I ask that when this motion comes to the House, all Senators see to it that we have cross-party support and a debate with the Minister. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence.