I raise a most important matter concerning the front-line troops of our democracy, a matter I have no doubt is close to the Cathaoirleach's heart. County and city councillors toil tirelessly on behalf of citizens, give of their time freely and generously and are the first to be approached by individuals and communities with various grievances and problems involving a multitude of local and national issues. They are the people who argue, debate, mediate and negotiate with county managers and other officials throughout the land. They are the people who are approached when the media needs to check facts on a local matter and who are always helpful. They do not have a trade union but they have trade associations such as the Association of Irish Local Government and the Local Authorities Members Association. I am not saying they are afraid to speak up, but they should speak up more on their behalf. We all know there are far fewer councillors since the reorganisation of local government and the previous local elections and these councillors have much larger electoral areas. They are pretty much full-time councillors who work seven days a week, all hours of the day and night and are at everybody's beck and call for very little recompense. I suggest this is treating them poorly, if not shabbily, and it cries out to be addressed, especially since there are visible signs of an improvement in the economy. At a minimum, they deserve a liveable wage. I discussed this matter with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government last year and possibly more than once in the past. I suggest the matter be discussed with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform who will shortly open talks with the public service unions. We must not forget these front-line troops.

Is the Senator looking for a debate on the issue?

I am practically finished. Senator Terry Leyden always has his own take on things. They are not seeking the earth, but I am calling for fair play, equity and justice - nothing more, nothing less. I am looking forward to the Leader's favourable response and, I hope, the united backing of this House.

I am delighted to see that my Commencement matter yesterday on the issue of PRSI for councillors has led to Senator Paul Coghlan's awakening to salary issues and the terms and conditions of employment of councillors.

I assure the Senator that it had nothing to do with it. I have been discussing this matter with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and others for quite some time.

I am glad that it has led to the Senator's awakening of salary issues and the terms and conditions of employment of councillors throughout the country. I will be tabling a Commencement matter to the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly-----

I was a councillor at one stage and I am well aware of the matter.

Senator Gerard P. Craughwell to continue without interruption, please.

I will be tabling a Commencement matter to the Minister on the issue of the salaries of county councillors. Did I agree with Senator Paul Coghlan? At the very least, they should be looking at a figure of 50% of a Senator's salary.

The Leader will recall that before the Easter break I raised the issue of bullying in the workplace. In recent weeks a number of organisations have commented on it and, in particular, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, has issued a report on bullying in the workplace. I have just returned from the teachers' conference, at which I made a presentation on the issue. I was taken aside by a number of teachers and heard of some very distressing cases from around the country. I believe the use of zero-hour contracts has led to people being put in a vulnerable position and bullying is the food, so to speak, that feeds the bully, given that people are in unstable contracts of employment. I asked for a debate with the Minister for Justice and Equality on the use of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act as a way of dealing with bullying in the workplace, because we are dealing with adults.

An extremely well organised debate of the Seanad Public Consultation Committee took place here recently on farm safety. Would it be possible to arrange a similar debate on bullying in the workplace and invite the various representative bodies to the Seanad to explain the issue? Bullying in the workplace is something none of really wants to touch. It is one of those taboo subjects that people are petrified to go near. There are many allegations of bullying in the workplace, but having been a trade union representative for many years, I have found that in many cases bullying is misinterpreted. It might not be a bad thing for the Seanad to sit down and discuss with the experts, particularly the people in DCU, exactly what is bullying. Let us try to define it. I would appreciate it if the Leader considered that issue and came back to me on it.