Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Taoiseach chuig Seanad Éireann. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil sé an-ghnóthach agus mar sin, tá mé an-bhuíoch dó as a bheith anseo. Tá mé féin an-bhródúil a bheith anseo mar Sheanadóir Fhianna Fáil cuibheasach nua.In my very brief time, I want to discuss our local councillors. By "our", I mean from all parties and none. I acknowledge the presence of one of our very good councillors, Councillor Caroline O'Reilly, in the Public Gallery.

As the Taoiseach is aware, our councillors are the bread and butter of democracy. They work really hard. They are at the face of everything. I have discussed this with him before. I would really like if there was another review, discussion group or working group on the pay, conditions and pensions of, and the support system for, councillors. Democracy would not exist without them, or it would not work as well as it does. I would like to discuss that further with the Taoiseach.