McDaid has done himself a favour and may even have done one for us

FORMER Dáil deputy Jim McDaid once called those who committed suicide “selfish bastards” and this unfortunate phrase came to mind this week when he ended his own political career suddenly, dramatically and seemingly with little care for some of those left behind.

In the first case his staff are out of work, apparently with no warning given of their boss’s whim. Hopefully, they will enjoy some financial protection by way of redundancy, but their pay-offs will surely pale by comparison with that to be enjoyed by their erstwhile boss. His electorate is left with diminished representation, although it might not notice given McDaid’s unofficial part-time status as a TD representing Donegal North-East since the last election in 2007.

McDaid’s exit is well-cushioned. As a former minister, albeit one who served at the cabinet table for a mere five years, and former TD, it has been reported that he will get a pension, immediately even though he is not yet 65, starting at €94,000 per annum. To cushion the loss of his salary he will receive a lump sum redundancy payment of €147,000. And, amazingly, although McDaid abandoned his seat, he will also receive a severance package of €60,000.