Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They are working with him in an established forum to give rights to the councillors. I look forward to that report. As Fine Gael spokesperson on local government, I am working with the Minister on that. We have seen the extra workload councillors have been given in the most radical reform of local government. There is stronger oversight and powers in respect of policy, drawing up of service plans, the introduction of citizens' participation and the extra workload that brings with it and the re-designation of manager as CEO. This all results in increased obligations on councillors. The Minister said that he recognises that and will do something about it. Many councillors must have jobs but there are only 24 hours in the day. I was a councillor for 20 years and I had to give up work when I was a mayor and not take up work again. It is getting more difficult by the day, particularly since the reform. I know what I am talking about. The Senator was never a councillor. I was a councillor for 20 years. The Senator can crow from his height-----