Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I concur with Senator Craughwell on support for the crew of the LÉ Niamh. I ask the Leader to request that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, come to the House to discuss pay and conditions for councillors who are struggling to maintain a livelihood. We have lost many councillors recently owing to the heavy workload they face and the absence of proper pay. The matter is with the Minister for Finance and I ask that he come to the House to discuss it.

I also ask that the Minister come to the House to discuss technician pay for Army cooks. Army cooks were awarded technician pay but have not yet received it. Apparently the issue is with the Minister. I have been lobbying for some time on behalf of an individual in my local area who, unfortunately, passed away last week and was buried on Monday. It grieves me that this man, who represented his country and struggled for so long, died without receiving proper pay.