Charlie Flanagan: Declining Áras salary ‘demeans the role’

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan says election candidates who plan to reject a presidential salary demean the dignity of the office.

These comments come in response to new contender Peter Casey’s remark that he would not take a wage should he be elected on October 26. The Derry-born Dragons’ Den investor became the 11th presidential hopeful to challenge President Michael D Higgins. Fellow businessman and Dragon Sean Gallagher, the runner-up to Mr Higgins in 2011, and Gavin Duffy have already launched a campaign to seek a nomination.

Mr Casey said he would work at “activating the diaspora”, creating a birthright programme, and bringing attention to the salary of the president. Mr Casey said: “With all the expenses, the president doesn’t need a salary at all.”

Commenting on the salary for the office of the president, he added: “It’s bonkers! It’s ludicrous that the taoiseach earns 50% less than the president. The taoiseach should earn 50% more than the president. I think the taoiseach deserves more than the president. You don’t need to be wealthy to say that.”

Mr Higgins receives an annual salary of €250,000. After taking office, he requested that his salary be reduced by a quarter from €325,000 to this level.

However, Mr Flanagan said the notion of rejecting a salary is demeaning to the office of President.

One of the candidates has said that they would not take the salary — that demeans the office of president,” said Mr Flanagan. “I look forward to a robust presidential campaign, but I and Fine Gael fully support Michael D Higgins and no other candidate in the contest.

When asked if Ireland is seeing the ‘Trump effect’, as a number of businessmen have thrown their hats in the ring for the presidency, Mr Flanagan said the contest is open to anyone.

“The presidential election campaign should be conducted with dignity and a sense of office, of what is a very important role, which has been performed in exemplary fashion by our current president who I hope is re-elected,” he said. “It is a matter for the people to decide in October, but I look forward to an active campaign.”

Potential candidates will appear before Kilkenny County Council today. Hopefuls will also attend council meetings in Leitrim, Wexford, and Cork city, among other authorities, on Monday. Mr Gallagher is expected to attend one or more of these meetings. The businessman, as of last night, received more motions to nominate him in Cavan and Longford County Councils, bringing to 12 the number considering backing him.

Meanwhile, the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) will today publish its complete guidelines for the presidential election. As revealed by the Irish Examiner this week, these will for the first time, include rules for anyone in public office running. Mr Higgins is the only such figure in the race. The rules will include an exemption for Mr Higgins on counting security or State cars as election expenses, in line with rules for taoisigh or tánaistí in general elections.

This follows a request by Aras an Uachtarain that these rules apply for this election. Sipo confirmed it was contacted on the issue but declined to say by whom.