Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be able to speak. I welcome the representatives from both the AILG and LAMA in the Visitors' Gallery. We are speaking about politicians but I think the most important thing is that this debate is not turned into a party political issue. I was a councillor and there is a completely legitimate and empirical reason given as to why this should happen. The AILG and LAMA have been very constructive in putting forward the arguments as to why councillors require these increases. They are not huge. The issue in terms of the €1,000 allowance not applying to more than 230 councillors needs to be considered. When one looks at the changes in the boundaries since 2014, the increase in the area and the increased workload in terms of the economic remit with more and more coming under the local authorities, there is an empirical and logical reason it should be extended, apart from parity.

The second issue is many councillors are now full-time councillors. The role has changed with the advent of social media and mobile phones. The type of work that a councillor carries out has changed beyond recognition. I very much welcome the fact that the Minister has brought forward these measures. This is a constructive debate and we should find cross-party support for a fair solution.