Harney: TD wages compare 'favourably' with European counterparts

The Health Minister Mary Harney has said she understands why some people think a cut of €10,000 in the salaries of Ministers isn't enough.

However Ms Harney said she will now be taking home just over €80,000 a year, which she said "compares favourably with her counterparts across Europe".

Legislation containing measures to cut the pay of the Taoiseach and Government Ministers will be pushed through the Dáil today.

Speaking in Dublin this morning, Minister Harney said Ministers "have taken significant cuts in pay to date".

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has said any new Government elected in the new year will depart from the four-year plan "at its peril".

The Dáil has resumed debating legislation to slash a euro off the national minimum wage.

Minister Lenihan said it has to be cut for jobs growth, and warned against not sticking to the four-year plan.