Public pay cuts should apply to Oireachtas

WHY is it that when the Government finds it necessary to reduce the public sector pay bill they manage to exclude the Oireachtas?

Minister Brendan Howlin argues that accelerated pension scheme is necessary for Oireachtas members as they are elected for a set period and could not qualify for a full pension during that time. Indeed, but why should they.

TDs who lose their seat are not disabled, they are simply unemployed and should be expected to go out, seek alternative employment like anybody else, and contribute to a pension scheme. On retirement they would have two pensions.

Many TDs who lose their seat have professional qualifications to fall back on, Peter Power is a solicitor, Barry Andrews is a barrister, etc. Best of all Mr Howlin himself, who entered the Dáil in 1987 and held on to his teaching post for 24 years declared in February of this year that he would give up his teacher’s pension as long as it counted towards his Dáil pension.

Brendan Casserly

Abbeybridge

Waterfall

Cork