Vol. 509 No. 6
409 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will include the necessary amendment in the forthcoming 1999 Local Government Bill to allow public representatives the necessary time off from employment to attend to their duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21283/99]
A number of public sector bodies have long-standing arrangements which provide for an element of staff release for employees who are councillors. For other employees it is a matter for agreement with their own employer. I am not convinced that it would be appropriate or feasible to legislate in this area. However, I am considering taking up the question with the relevant employer and other representative bodies to examine the scope for an agreed policy framework as regards the release of persons who undertake civic duties.
