Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On that note, I will proceed. The Minister's answers to the questions will be important in terms of providing guidance for staff. I will focus largely on the teaching profession at second and third levels and on pensioners. I will make one point on councillors because other Senators have referred to them. What are councillors? They are not public servants and they do not in any way benefit from this Bill. They are not even classed as public servants. They have no PRSI entitlements and as a result have no pension entitlements. If one works out their actual pay then, in may view, it is way less than the minimum wage. They have got the rawest deal in the country and yet they are the under body of the entire democratic system.