Councillors are demanding a 40% pay rise due to an increase in workload.

The Sunday Business Post reports that councillors get a basic payment of €16,565 and are requesting an increase of almost €6,000.

The Association of Irish Local Government - which represents Councillors - says that the abolition of town councils means Councillors are covering a wider electoral area.

They also want more travel and mobile phone expenses, which were reduced two years ago by former environment miniser Phil Hogan.

A local government review group has been set up to look at the pay claim, which would cost around €6m per year.