Politicians’ perks must go now

In these dire times, though chauffeur-driven ministerial Mercs may have gone, a political career is still characterised by juicy perks and fat pensions, a scenario which sharply underscores the glaring inequalities of life in Ireland today.

Increasingly, and rightly so, this burning theme is under the spotlight and was searchingly discussed at the recent MacGill Summer School where damning indictments were voiced of the relentless rise in wealth of an already comfortable minority when so many others are suffering. Given the extent to which life has become unequal, is it any wonder that the man and woman in the street are so cynical about politics?

Their cynicism makes the latest initiative to prune ministerial perks all the more important. As revealed in today’s front-page story, Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin intends taking the axe to severance packages for ministers. These payments rank among the perks blamed for changing the ethos of Irish politics from its traditional and, it has to be said, admirable role of giving public service to a far less desirable culture of securing private gain.