Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was contacted by a councillor yesterday. I know many Senators talk to councillors every day. This lady is a hardworking single mother and she is surviving solely on her councillor's pay. Due to her mother's death in January, she missed two council meetings and somebody in the council saw fit to deduct €600 from her pay and allowances. That is absolutely sickening. I could not believe how somebody working in the same building could have had the stomach to carry out such an act. I contacted her after she emailed me to clarify the position and to ask if she minded if I mentioned her case in the House. I would say she just wanted to get it off her chest. She was happy to let me raise the matter and I told her I would not mention her name. It beggars belief that somebody would carry out such an act. I will give the Leader the details afterwards. Perhaps this is something we could mention to the council. I could not see this as being correct.