Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and thank the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, for his contribution.

There is no doubt that since the abolition of town councils, county councillors have taken on a more significant role, involving more travel, longer hours and greater responsibility. I acknowledge the work being done by the reform review group on this issue. Senator Mooney mentioned that Senator Walsh approached a former Minister, Noel Dempsey, on this issue. Prior to that, I was part of a delegation of five from my county who approached the then Minister, Charlie McCreevy, on the issue. He gave us a fair hearing. I was a councillor for 15 years and I note that other Senators served on councils for as long, with no remuneration whatsoever. Both former Ministers listened to the case we put forward in respect of this issue.

I have made personal approaches to the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, and the Taoiseach on the issue of remuneration for councillors during the past 12 to 18 months, in recognition of the fact that the young people who succeeded in obtaining positions as councillors following the local elections did not realise the workload they were taking on. They are not complaining about it but they did not realise how the role had changed. The Minister, in his travels to councils throughout the country, has recognised the responsibilities and work councillors have taken on. They have greater responsibilities and longer working hours but are only getting half the minimum wage gross. When tax and PRSI are taken into consideration, they are left with approximately €8,500 a year for working 50 to 60 hours per week. They are not recompensed to the level they should be. As far as I am concerned, all councillors deserve the minimum wage, regardless of whether they operate in the role on a full-time basis. Some councillors have to take time off work and pay somebody to take their place.

I am encouraged by what the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, said and I look forward to the findings of the review group. The Minister said he would work on the recommendations he receives from that group and I have no doubt he will do so.