Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for State, Deputy John Paul Phelan, to the House to discuss pay and conditions for local councillors. I welcome the changes which the Minister signed off on at the weekend and acknowledge his work since his appointment to progress this issue and other issues concerning councillors. He said he would and has proved true to his word. It is only a good first step, but we have some way to go in the discussion on how councillors should be remunerated and supported. Local councillors do very valuable work and deserve to be paid a fair salary for it. It might not be popular among the public when a politician calls for better conditions for other politicians but I must stand up for councillors because they are underpaid and undervalued. Many of us in this House and in the other one have been councillors. Having been a town and county councillor, I know from first hand the work load and long hours involved in representing constituents, resolving problems, making applications, writing letters of representation, making calls, arranging clinics and attending meetings. The increased workload, combined with a negative media portrayal of public representatives generally, has a demoralising effect on excellent public representatives and makes public service less attractive. No one gets into local politics for money. Anyone who does will be very disappointed. The vast majority of public representatives get involved because they want to serve their communities. We should actively support them to do so.

Those of us who have the honour of serving as Members of the Oireachtas work hard for our communities and are well paid for it. Our salaries are linked to grades of public servants who are well paid for their work. Councillors are the one category of public representatives who are almost regarded as hobby politicians. They work hard for the communities and give their time, energy and expertise but they are not paid fairly for it. As a society, we are taking advantage of their desire to do their best for their local communities and pay them an allowance that often works out at less than the minimum wage.

One reason to pay councillors properly is that it would signal to the public our regard for their role and the true importance of the role of the public representative. It may not be a position that is popular with the public and the fear of a public outcry that could follow from a significant pay increase to councillors is one reason given for not doing so. However, if we are willing to weather the storm in increasing our own salaries we should show parity of esteem for our council colleagues.

One of Fine Gael's five core values is equality of opportunity. Among councillors, the current position favours those who are self-employed, who are independently wealthy or have plenty of spare time. All these groups are entitled to serve but we should not exclude the many very able people who could make an equal or better contribution but are excluded because they cannot afford to be a councillor. There are many competent people who would like to do so but who can earn more money in other fields. We must attract them.

There is no guarantee that paying councillors more would improve local government but we must put a fair value on their work. It would be a bad idea to pay teachers, nurses or public servants half what they could make in similar roles in the private sector so why does the same logic not apply to councillors? There has been academic research on the topic. A 2009 paper by Ferraz and Finan argues that higher wages increase political competition and improves the quality of legislators, as measured by education, type of previous profession and the political experience in office. In addition to this positive selection they find that wages also effect politicians performance which is consistent with the behavioural response to a higher value of holding office.

Nothing I say here is by way of criticism. I welcome the Minister's initiative and good intention. I welcome the Minister of State's remarks today so long as there is a positive outcome. We cannot conclude that this matter has been resolved and move on to the next issue. Tús maith leath na hoibre. I urge the Minister of State to continue with the determination and ability he has shown so far.