Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was very disappointed this week to see the change in the schedule for today. I was looking forward to hearing what the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, was going to tell us about the Moorhead report and how he felt about it. He is just not here. I certainly hope a visit will be scheduled quite soon so we can hear his thoughts on the report. Senator Cassells spoke about the value of journalism. I recognise the value of journalists in this country but they certainly did not do the councillors any favours over the past year when they announced not one, but two, pay rises of €8,000. A councillor's wage, with the increase of 2%, which is effectively €620 before tax, is €17,706 per year. There are men and women elected democratically to local government who are working full-time, some for over 40, 50 or 60 hours per week, but who are getting €17,706 per year. Therefore, I would welcome the Minister of State to this House. I want to hear how he values local government. I find it very concerning that, last week, an email was sent by the Local Government Management Agency, the Association of Irish Local Government and the Local Authority Members Association giving guidelines on how to conduct meetings in each county. The recommendation is that meetings be for one hour and 55 minutes. Councillors throughout the country are up in arms about that. They represent the grassroots, and it is important that they have their voices heard. The timeframe suggested for a local meeting every month is certainly not enough. We need to consider this also.