Call for TDs and senators to hand back raise

Political Editor

Newcomer Paul Gogarty says the sacrifice would save taxpayers €2 million per year and could go towards restoring the first-time house buyers grant which costs some €38m per year and which was abolished last Thursday. Failing that, it could be spent on other essential services.

The Dublin Mid-West TD says he has written to all 166 TDs and 60 senators asking them to join him in making this simple sacrifice as an example to the nation at this time of retrenchment.

All members of the Dáil and Seanad qualified for the 4% rise under the national wage agreement last month. In practice it meant an extra 154 per week for the Taoiseach; 135 for the Tanaiste and 125 for Cabinet Ministers, with less amounts pro rata going to all TDs and Senators.

The public representatives are also in line for an 11% increase if and when the benchmarking report goes through and other rises in line with national deals.

This is part of a process which links their salaries to middle-ranking civil servants in an effort to depoliticise the issue of politicians’ pay.

Mr Gogarty said the pay rises could mean additional funding could be made available for housing, education or health.

He said it would make a tangible difference in a key area and would also help to restore public confidence in politicians. Withdrawing the recent four per cent PPF increase to members of the Oireachtas along with a three year pay freeze would free up at least €2 million. That’s €2 million more that could be put to good use.”

“As regards where the money could be spent, the removal of the first-time buyer’s grant is an issue that has raised huge concern in my own constituency of Dublin Mid-West.

“Similarly, in my capacity as education spokesperson, the need for additional resources for schools in disadvantaged areas also springs to mind. Mr Gogarty urged TDs and Senators to leave political differences aside and support his campaign.

If the majority of those contacted respond positively to my proposal a petition will be sent to the Minister for Finance asking for the pay cut to take effect and a guarantee that the money would be ring-fenced for spending on a specific area.