Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

They would accuse the Government of being draconian, Dickensian and whatever else they wanted. It is important to put matters in perspective. The Minister for Finance is undertaking a process. Let us allow that process to conclude.

The Senator raised also the issue of pay for councillors and their services. I agree with him fully and it is not because we are on the same panel and are trying to look after our constituents as Members of this House; on the contrary. Local government is a very important part of our democracy and I have always made the point that councillors should be full time and paid a proper salary. The Moorhead review is imminent, albeit I am not sure it will be published before or after the local elections. It will address the issues of pay, conditions and supports for councillors. I agree with Senator Craughwell that issues of pay and their power are very frustrating for councillors at local government level. Their role has expanded with the introduction of municipal districts in some cases and bigger, longer and wider electoral areas. It is a matter we need to address. I have just returned from Kiev where the presidential election took place at the weekend. Strangely enough, the one thing people over there did not mind doing was paying for their democracy and putting local and central government supports in place. It is something we need a stronger voice on in the Oireachtas. We can all go down the road of populism with regard to pay and conditions, but it is important to pay councillors a just and fair salary and to get rid of the caper of running around the country to attend conferences and whatever.The other point made by Senators Craughwell and Byrne is that I welcome the publication today by the Minister of State, Deputy Phelan, on directly elected mayors with executive functions. It is important we support the plebiscite to give for the first time in this country directly elected mayors an opportunity to stand for office. It is an innovative and transformative potential for local government. I look forward to having the debate in this Chamber but also across the designated cities that are going to have mayors. I am aware that Senator Byrne has been very forceful and strong in Limerick. It is important and incumbent upon Government to travel to the cities in question, to have public meetings and information campaigns in the cities of Cork, Galway, Waterford or Limerick to inform people of the potential benefit accruing to a city from directly elected mayors. I apologise, as Galway is not on this list.

Senator Devine also raised the issue of vaccination. It is important that we remember Laura Brennan who was a champion.