Why the next president’s salary should be cut by at least two-thirds

NEXT year Ireland will elect a new president, and I would very much like to make a policy point about this.

It happens that a good friend of mine is urging me to stand in this election. I do not consider myself worthy of the honour and my personal circumstances are in any case difficult. But there is one policy I would like to put forward, which I hope that other possible candidates may also take seriously.

That is, I believe the next president of Ireland should be paid much less than the current salary of €325,000 per annum (with its concomitant generous pension).

This is not a criticism of the present, or past, incumbents: Ireland has benefited from a series of excellent heads of state, and Presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese have both been outstanding.

But the salary was set at a different time and perhaps on a scale appropriate to the remuneration of lawyers. We are now in a very different era and the salary, I think, should be much less.

Indeed, I believe it should be reduced by at least two-thirds.

Ireland has attracted some esteem overseas – and rightly – for the financial discipline with which it has addressed the current economic crisis. If Ireland’s reputation is better than that of Greece, it is partly because the global financial markets award a higher reputation to Ireland’s economic management. It would thus send an important signal to world markets if the next head of state in this country were to undertake the duties for a relatively modest income (with a concomitantly modest pension).

It would show we’re earnest about tackling the indebtedness, and make common cause with so many citizens who are having to face hard times over the coming years.

A presidential candidate should not be elected just because he or she is cheap. To be Uachtarán na hÉireann is an immense privilege, and there are corresponding responsibilities, as spelt out by articles 12, 13 and 14 of the constitution. The president must also represent Ireland, globally, with dignity and decorum – and act with a positive and inclusive sense of patriotism.

But the most patriotic gesture of all would be to accept the honour with a greatly reduced salary.

Mary Kenny

Kildare Street

Dublin 2