Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. It is disappointing in many ways that we are back here discussing this same issue despite, as my colleague, Senator Davitt, outlined, the promise that was made about its resolution. I am sure the Minister of State will agree we are fortunate to have so many hard-working local authority members throughout the country. The problem is due to changes made by Mr. Phil Hogan when he was a Minister. The workload of county councillors and the geographic area which they have to cover is now, despite their best efforts, nearly impossible. In my constituency of Cavan and Monaghan, in the past 18 months to two years we have had a turnover of three or four councillors. All of them cite the same reason, which is that they simply cannot do the work of a local authority member properly and hold down a job at the same time. I am sure this does not come as a foreign language to the Minister of State. I am sure he has the finger on the pulse himself and that he knows what I am saying is correct.

We are less than 18 months away from the next local elections. I believe I speak on behalf of all local authority members and Senators when I plead that the issues alluded to by my colleague, Senator Davitt, should be grappled with once and for all. Otherwise we will continue to lose good people. As a former local authority member, I am convinced there is no element of democracy closer to the public than the county councillor. Unless we do something to address the issue, we will lose more people. I spoke to many county councillors who are seriously considering their position because they cannot afford to do the work and travel to regional and local meetings while holding down a job at the same time. I therefore request earnestly that the Minister of State grasp the issue and address it once and for all.