Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his continued advocacy for the rights of councillors. I welcome the engagement between the AILG and my Department. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell's, predecessor, Deputy Peter Burke, moved swiftly to implement the Moorhead report once a Government was formed.That was welcomed across the elected members. The role of elected members is critically important, especially at local level. This is not to say powers have been stripped. We are putting in additional layers of responsibilities with our local authority members in the areas of climate, biodiversity and urban development. This is a whole new set of tasks and challenges that local governments are facing. We want to see robust local government. We want to see elected members being valued in their communities and to ensure their remuneration and gratuity upon retirement is reflective of the incredible work they do for local communities.