Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the work the Minister has done on this issue, on which there have been a few false dawns. In my time as a member of the executive of the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, I was involved in a number of negotiation processes involving the AILG and Local Authority Members Association, LAMA. A number of those in the Gallery were instrumental at that time. They include councillors Pat Daly and Damien Geoghegan who have all been members of the AILG executive.

I ask the Minister to make two amendments to the circular. The €1,000 increase in remuneration should be for all local authority members. With regard to the additional €2,500 in expenses, I ask the Minister to maintain the status quoand require only that the additional expense be vouched. These changes are reasonable and would not give rise to a significant cost. While we can seek all things, I am a firm believer that half a loaf is better than no bread. I ask the Minister to give wholeheartedly in this regard. He has come this far and made a genuine effort and shown much more sincerity than some of his predecessors. I would appreciate if he would consider the points I raise.