I raise the issue of maternity leave for county councillors. As the Deputy Leader knows, this matter is coming before the Cabinet this week. It is a matter I have discussed over several years here and I am delighted to have fed input into the proposed policy coming before the Cabinet. On reflection, this type of leave scheme is one that could be expanded. Recently, one of our own exceptionally hard-working councillors in Westmeath, Liam McDaniel, fell ill. He was ill for quite a long time.

In such circumstances, where a person has had the misfortune to have a protracted illness, that they could look to nominate a replacement for six months or for a given timeframe is something that is worth looking at because a great deal of pressure at that time filters down to the person who is sick and to his or her family. This is something that could possibly be shared, looked upon in a different light and that we could do. With fixed-term county councils, people are aware of what is and is not the case.

I would like to add that Councillor McDaniel has made a good recovery and I was delighted to hear he attended a number of council meetings over recent weeks. It is something worth discussing and looking at.