TDs v MPs: 33% less work for 20% more pay

DÁIL deputies turn up in parliament only two-thirds as often as their British counterparts – yet pay themselves €14,000 a year more for doing so.

A cross-comparison of the two legislatures shows that TDs attended for a maximum of 101 sitting days during 2009, while MPs put in 146 days of parliamentary debate in the House of Commons.

Despite working a third less in the chamber, TDs pay themselves nearly 20% more than their British equivalents – Dáil members’ salaries start at €92,672 and average €112,000, while MPs are paid €78,885.

The discrepancies in workload and pay scales between the Dáil and its nearest sister parliament have prompted calls for a radical overhaul of practices – and even warnings of Greek-style street protests unless reform comes.

With the Dáil not due back until September 29, its 81-day summer holiday is more than twice as long as that enjoyed by MPs, and senior political pay rates dwarf British equivalents.

Despite a series of pay cuts, the Taoiseach on €228,466 per year still earns almost €60,000 more than David Cameron, who receives €171,000 annually for running one of the world’s five largest economies.

Irish Cabinet ministers take home €191,417 annually, compared with €161,478 for their London counterparts, and even Dublin’s junior ministers, on €139,266, are well ahead of their Commons equivalents who earn €118,488.

Dáil deputies can still claim up to €15,000 a year in unvouched expenses, while MPs must provide receipts to back every claim.

Prof David Farrell, of UCD’s Department of Politics and International Relations, fears a collision between the anger of the public and the complacency of public representatives could yet prove explosive on the scale of the turmoil seen in Greece.

“There is a serious danger a vacuum has been created where the clamour for change is not being listened to. This could prove dangerous to politicians if they are seen to lose control. You only have to look at Greece to see what might happen.

“There could be a backlash on the streets. It is remarkable that we have not already seen similar scenes to those in Iceland or Greece,” said Prof Farrell.

Veteran Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke hit back at the notion of deputies not pulling their weight, saying they attend committees on some non-sitting days.

Labour chief whip Emmet Stagg said: “We can’t go on like this. It’s about quality of time, not just length, we have lost control over huge areas of public life like the HSE which we need to get back.”