Pressure on President to cut salary further
On taking office, Mr Higgins voluntarily waived €76,493 of his official salary leaving him with €249,014 — far more than many other heads of state.
Labour sources fear the pay is too extravagant at a time when low-paid workers are again being squeezed under Croke Park II.
Due to the fact Mr Higgins waived a large chunk of his pay, it remains unclear whether any further pay cut triggered by the Croke Park deal would be sliced off the official figure, or the reduced amount he draws down.
Labour sources point to the fact Mr Higgins, even with his reduced salary, still earns more than the British prime minister or the French president as evidence he needs to cut back further.
“It will look bad if the president continues to be paid €250,000 a year when we are making the pips squeak for low-paid workers,” said a source.
The President’s spokes-person would not comment on whether any salary reduction would come off the official salary, or the one Mr Higgins receives.
“During his term in office, President Higgins will not draw down any pension entitlements arising from his previous service as a member of the Dáil or Seanad,” said the spokesperson.
Under Croke Park II, Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s pay would drop by almost €15,000 to €185,350 — still above the €170,000 Britain’s prime minister earns. The deal cuts the wages of all higher earners in the public sector, with the reductions ranging from 5.5% to 10% for anyone on more than €185,000.
However, it would not be a straight 10% cut from the president’s pay as reductions are graduated, with the initial 5.5% taken from the first chunk of salary and allowances up to €80,000; 8% of the portion between €80,000 and €150,000; 9% between €150,000 and €185,000; and 10% on earnings over that.
Such a move would see the President’s pay fall by €27,150 to just over €298,000, but if it was sliced off his drawn-down salary, that would fall to just over €230,000.
