Failed promises

I was horrified to read in the Irish Examiner (Aug 7) that our Taoiseach and Tánaiste topped up their salaries by €10,913 (€21 more than a person receives in social welfare in the week) and €5,000 respectively.

This was made out of an Oireachtas allowance which can be used at the discretion of political leaders. It is all legal and above board.

Both leaders were very vocal when they took a voluntary salary reduction when they came into power, but are very quiet about this increase they have awarded themselves.

It would now appear it was just a political optical exercise. It is very hard to understand the mindset that these two men can justify accepting these increases when they are already among the best paid politicians in the world. If they had no better use for this taxpayer’s money, there are many charities who would gladly accept it. So much for the reform and the new politics we were promised.

Mary Harris

South Douglas Road

Cork