Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I realise that, but the motion has not been taken. I am receiving calls from people who are sick and have no income because they are councillors. Last night I received a call from a councillor who, as a lone parent, had lost all of her welfare payments because she was a councillor. It is not good enough and all we are offering is soft talk. Everybody in the House has been in contact with councillors telling them how committed we are to dealing with their issues, but action speaks louder than words. It is time for us to put up or shut up. I have asked for the Minister to come to the House. Negotiating in a back room or in silence is nonsense. We need the Minister to come here. He writes the regulations and can change them at the stroke of a pen. We need this to happen. I, therefore, ask the Leader to arrange it immediately after we return in the next session. We will all seek the support of councillors during the next election and I sincerely hope I am not one of the Senators who will walk away with a lump sum having failed to secure their votes.