Lord mayor volunteers 10% cut in €97k salary

One of the country’s highest paid lords mayor last night volunteered a 10% pay cut as €1.2m in sweeping cutbacks across Cork City Council’s services were unveiled.

Cllr John Buttimer (FG), who earns a basic mayoral salary of €96,672, but who can earn up to €120,000 by the €16,000 representational payment paid to all councillors, and by claiming expenses, said he wanted to show leadership as the city tries to balance its books.

He told councillors he had planned to seek the pay cut in December but that given the state of the council’s finances, he has brought the decision forward.