Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for coming to discuss this all-important topic.

I come from a local background, having served on Limerick council for 17 years, served as mayor and been an Oireachtas Members for a number of years. The workload has increased tenfold through the years, I think, certainly for councillors. I think back to when I was first elected compared with when I was finishing up as a councillor to come to the Seanad, and the work has increased. The position of a councillor is a full-time role and I too support the call for an increase in salary as well as in pension terms. People are paying PRSI - I paid it myself for 17 years - and getting nothing for it. You are paying a different class of PRSI but yet you are being charged the PRSI, so councillors are very worthy of that.

The directly elected mayor in Limerick has been referred to. While it is working to some extent, there are areas of it that possibly need tweaks in the legislation. I would like the task force, when it is up and running, to look at that in depth. The Minister of State has met with councillors and the mayor, so I know he is aware there are some issues to do with powers and the devolving of powers.It is something that needs to be looked at, and the review possibly needs to be brought forward so we can get that balance right. I believe in the process of a directly elected mayor. I was very proud on the day the plebiscite was passed in Limerick and that we did deliver a directly elected mayor. It has to work but it cannot be at the expense of the councillors either, in that they cannot afford to lose any more powers. There are some powers that should be looked at with regard to giving them back to local authority members.

On the task force, I ask the Minister of State to outline when exactly it will be up and running. Many people are interested in seeing when it will be up and running.

With regard to the discretionary money councillors have, it is hugely beneficial to communities. Talking to local authority councillors, they can give money either to a football club or their local community, be it for a footpath or a small bit of sports gear. Councillors have a feel-good factor when they are able to give back to their community, and I would like to see that being looked at as well. I know it has increased in recent years but perhaps there is scope for more flexibility with it.