Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, to the House. He is a great friend of councillors and has been very proactive and has worked hard in his role since his appointment. He knows about this because he was at the front line and he started from the ground up. He is to be commended on all his experience over the years, which makes him understand the issues affecting councillors probably better than most.

Recently, the Department rolled out a scheme worth up to €5,000 that has beefed up security for Oireachtas Members, following a recommendation made in a security review by the Garda. The matter I raise details that councillors are the first line of politics on this island. They are immersed in communities in every respect. In some instances, they are probably at a greater security risk than some Oireachtas Members, but there is no doubt the two groups are on a par.

I am grateful the Minister of State is taking this Commencement matter because I know he has been working on the issue. We discussed councillors' expenses previously and the Minister of State allowed them to include as expenses the cost of security cameras, gates and alarms. However, we must go a little stretch further, as has been recommended by the Garda for Oireachtas Members. Councillors should be afforded the same possibility. I am sure the Minister of State is doing his best to do what he can. I look forward to his response.