Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to have a debate on Palestine as soon as possible with the Minister, Deputy Coveney.

Senator Byrne raised the Threshold report. It is a very important report for tenants and their rights, and I am happy to have the Minister, Deputy Murphy, come before the House to discuss the matter.

Senators Craughwell, Gallagher and Wilson raised the issue of councillors' pay and conditions. I fully agree with them. I made a contribution in response to Senator Davitt in this regard yesterday. It is time we had action on councillors' pay and conditions and the other terms they need to see rectified. I would be very happy, as I have been doing with my colleagues on this side of the House, to work with the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, and the Minister, Deputy Murphy, to ensure we see an increase in councillors' pay and conditions. They deserve it. I made that point yesterday. There is not a majority view on the other side of the House as to what we should do for councillors. Every one of us who was a local authority member and who is now a Member of this House recognises and understands the importance of local government and the role our elected members play. I spent Monday with Councillor Deirdre Forde at a public oral hearing. She had to make other sacrifices to be there for the whole day.