Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am concerned about that and I wanted to say that. This is a very simple Bill. It is very simple. It would really support councillors, not only by supporting them in the work they do but also by validating the work they do. I actually take offence to what Senator Kelleher said. What he said was disgraceful in the sense that he implied we are disregarding the local democracy task force. I absolutely do not disregard it. I had long conversations with AILG. I have spoken with LAMA about this. It came into the briefing last week, supported it and actually said it would complement the work the local democracy task force is doing. I 100% agree with all of that work is going on and I think it is fantastic. I went through everything the local democracy task force is doing and I was blown away by the work that AILG and LAMA are doing, as well as others who are involved, such as the Department, the Minister and others. I wanted to put that on the record that I was actually quite offended by what was said.

I agree with what everybody else here said today in that there have to be many more supports, going forward. Senator Kyne gave a list of things and I think they need more pensions, more pay and more legal advice. As Senator Keogan said, it is a full time job. I have been going around the country and met with amazing councillors. Councillor Joe Malone, who is a good friend of mine, was probably one of the first councillors I ever met when I started my campaign back in 2016. Councillor Andy Maloney down in Tipperary is another unbelievable legend. Legends is what I would call these councillors. They dedicate their lives to their communities. The work they do in their communities is beyond belief. I have never been a councillor myself and I do not know how they do it. I know some Senators here have been councillors and I commend every single one of them who have been. I absolutely commend them because I saw the work councillors do. They are not only legally helping people, they are trying to get housing for people, get health sorted for people and they are therapists for people. They listen to people. They try to source things for people. I remember meeting with a Fianna Fáil Senator, Imelda Goldsboro, who is here now. I remember meeting her for the first time and she told me about how she was trying to help a woman get a Christmas turkey and toys for her children. It is unbelievable stuff. I genuinely think it is really important they get everything they need. This could be something in the meantime, alongside what the local democracy task force is doing, which is really important.

I want to highlight that we actually did a survey that was issued to councillors when I sent out the emails. We got 110 respondents and 97% of respondents said they really want administrative assistance and it would be extremely helpful. I want to put that on the record as well. Even though I know we are hearing different things from councillors and some said to me that they would love some legal advice and some said they would like more pay, this is just a very simple Bill that could be passed in the next few months and that would really validate the work councillors do.

Unfortunately, I will not agree with the amendment for this. It is important. I will wait until after task force issue its report to table Committee Stage. That is what I will do. I will table Committee Stage after the task force but I cannot agree with the amendment today. I have to vote against this timed amendment today because I just cannot agree with it. I do not think it is right or helpful for us in our work, going forward, which is why I cannot agree. However, I would like to work with the Minister of State. I know he is not the main person responsible but I think he has a special interest in this. I would like to work with him in some capacity on this issue because I think he cares and we could work together, going forward. It is absolutely vital. It is really important and I really believe in this Bill. I ask everybody here today to vote against the timed amendment.