Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for the words about my uncle Jim. He lived a life of service, just a we as politicians do. He was a Kiltegan missionary and part of the famous Gunnar Brady family, who would have been very well known in the football circles but also in the political circles through Fianna Fáil. Uncle Danny served as a county councillor for Fianna Fáil for almost six decades and now his son is the chair of Cavan County Council. Uncle Jim served as a Kiltegan missionary throughout Africa and he gave a life of service to his faith and his country.

That is what we do too and that is why I came up today. I was in a briefing this morning when I got the word on the EU migration pact.

I hold the county councillors in this country to be the most valuable cogs in the wheel when it comes to democracy. They are the first people to know when something is going in our communities. They are the first people who people reach out to. People do not normally reach out to the Senators or their TDs rather it is the councillors. With my Independent colleagues, I have fought constantly in here to make sure councillors are properly remunerated and properly paid for the job they do. We have much work to do but we have come a long way since I came in here. We were at €17,500 when I joined the Seanad in 2020. We have secured more pay. There is a long way to go, but I will keep on that fight. I value each and every councillor throughout this country.

That is all I have to say. I will continue to be an advocate for councillors and I am glad to be here today to support them.