Local Councillors could be in line for a major pay hike if a new proposal from Sinn Féin is approved.
Sinn Féin TD Eoin O Broin said that Councillors deserve increases that could double their average salary of €16,000.
Kenneth O'Flynn, a Fianna Fáil Councillor for Cork City, said that there are plenty of bonus payments available to top up their basic wages.
"There's another €400 a month for secretarial skills, etc. - research and all that sort of stuff, and that comes in at about €4,800," he said.
"And there's an additional €1,000 that Councillors can draw down, in Cork City, for conferences. I haven't attended a conference for seven years, but there is that additional money if people want to draw it down."