All TDs are equal, so pay them the same rate

I WISH to respond to some of the questions raised by Dr Florence Craven (Letters, September 25) about democracy as practised in this country.

Firstly, Dr Craven may “not want a one-party state”, but I am afraid that is what we have since most of our political commentators are supporters of having one party — Fianna Fáil — permanently in government.

Secondly, I feel the proposal by Dr Craven that “opposition should not be entitled to the same salaries as the parties in power” is preposterous.

All TDs were elected by voters and all are equal. Ministers with executive power rightly get paid higher salaries, but discriminating between public representatives would be indefensible.

Thirdly, it may indeed be “madness that our politicians’ salaries are among the highest paid in the world”. Their salaries, however, were decided by agreed machinery which also decides the salaries of many people in other walks of life.

Anyway, if you halved the salaries you would save something like €8 million. Poorly paid politicians are more open to corruption and if you pay peanuts, what do you expect to get?

Anthony Leavy

Shielmartin Drive

Sutton

Dublin 13