I join Senator Aideen Hayden in speaking about the horrendous tragedy in Berkeley which led to the loss of the lives of a number of students. We must seek guarantees on the care and welfare of those who will be left with life-changing injuries.

I would like to advise the Leader that today, I will lay before the House a motion calling for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government or the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, or both, to be brought to this House to discuss the representational payment provided for councillors for undertaking their work in local authorities.

In recent months I have raised this issue and that of the class K PRSI tax, which is definitely not any form of insurance. The dogs in the street are barking that a general election is coming and, as such, I believe the time has come-----

The Seanad election has begun as well for the Senator.

I believe the time has come to address this issue head on and in the open before the end of the Government. Since I last raised the issue, things have changed. I have taken legal advice and I am now clear as to where the target is in dealing with the representational payment once and for all. During the debate on the National Minimum Wage (Low Pay Commission) Bill on 12 June, my colleague, Senator Denis Landy, addressed the fact that 25% or more of our councillors-----

Is the Senator proposing an amendment to the Order of Business?

I am placing the Leader on notice because there will be an amendment to the Order of Business tomorrow. I know that the Cathaoirleach is deeply committed to councillors and will do everything he can to try to facilitate this request.

I am trying to help the Senator.

I know that the Leader will do likewise and I expect all-party support for the issue. I am bringing it up now because I want to circulate the motion today and I would welcome amendments from anybody in the House. Tomorrow I will propose an amendment to the Order of Business. This issue is urgent because, although the Lansdowne Road agreement has just been finalised and unions are about to vote on it, we have left one of the lowest paid sectors in the country out of it, namely, county councillors. They are our constituents and, yes, we will be calling on them for votes. The least we might do is represent their interests in this House. To do this, we will need to bring in both the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform who holds the purse strings. Both the Leader and the Whip on the Fine Gael side have spoken of their dismay at the way in which councillors are being treated in respect of payments. I ask that when this motion comes to the House, all Senators see to it that we have cross-party support and a debate with the Minister. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence.

It is not often that I find myself in total agreement with my colleagues from Fianna Fáil. On this occasion I certainly do.

The Senator is coming around.