I second the Bill. We had a briefing in the audiovisual room last week. As Senator Black said, many county councillors and Senators attended that meeting. Senator Ruane wrapped it all up for me last week. As Senator Black said, Senator Ruane could not get over the fact that county councillors did not have administrative supports or an assistant. This time last year, Senator Black and I introduced the Bill in the Seanad. Last week, we listened to representatives from LAMA and county councillors speak of the work the…

No, they did not.

No, they were not. A county councillor told me that today out of his own mouth. There is Senator Kyne over there and me here. If I did not have the support of my parliamentary assistant, PA, I would not be able to come in here to deliver a speech. None of us would be. We could deliver our speeches, but we need PAs to do the graft work. Why should Senators and TDs have them when county councillors do not? The majority of people in this House are voted in by county councillors, including the Senator who said that the…

Please God, all going well.

We are not looking at this as a loss. Rather, through no fault of the Minister of State, it is just how the Seanad has been doing business this year. It is something we have to take up as Senators to make this House as productive as it was in its previous term.

Yes, I just have to take a call. It is from the crèche.

Excuse me. It is not incorrect.

It is not incorrect. Do not put lies down on my neck. I spoke to a county councillor who told me-----

Bullshit. Absolutely not.

It is not incorrect; I know for a fact that is it not incorrect. Why is he allowed to say that I am giving incorrect information?

What about the three grand they had to give back last year? What about the three grand?

Will we get an opportunity to come back?

Can I come back on the incorrect comments that the previous-----

Can I correct the record then?

On a point of order, I just wish to correct the record. My mother used to say that even the best in class can make mistakes. The Senator was right. I made a mistake. It was an increase of 2%. County councillors now get €29,000. If you look at that in the context of the cost of living, then county councillors have been cut by 6%. I would like to thank the Senator for giving women councillors maternity leave. Thank you, Senator. You are very good.

No, it is €28,000.

The Senator should try running for election as a councillor while being a member of the Traveller community. Those places are not there because of Government parties like his.

Those places are not there because of Government parties like the yours.

Those places are not there because of Government parties like yours. Members of my community do not have those opportunities. If it was that good, why did the Senator not stay on the council?

If it was that good, he could have stayed and done good community development work.