He says councillors work for the people 24/7.
The Mayor of Athlone is welcoming a proposed pay rise for county councillors- as long as its in line with other areas of the public sector.
Councillors salaries could increase by 47% in 2020, rising from €17,000 a year to €25,000, according to the Irish Examiner.
Fianna Fáil's Frankie Keena says the job requires enormous amounts of commitment and involves working around the clock.
He feels improved pay would make local politics more appealing and, in turn, raise standards.
But the Westmeath councillor says many other members of the public sector are working for low pay, particularly the Defence Forces:
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