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.