Departing politicians leave on the gravy train

It’s shocking the revelation that the taxpayer will stump up almost €20m to cover severance payments to local councillors who either lost their seats or who retired after the recent local elections. Departing councillors are in line for significant severance payments.

It is reported that former Dublin Mayor Oisin Quinn stands to receive €33,448 based on 10 years service. Councillors who have just served one term of 5 years and lost their seats, or otherwise decided to quit, will get a lump sum of €16,724.

These are only part time jobs and most councillors have lucrative professions such as solicitors etc. It begs the question with a small population why we need 1,000 local councillors when we already have 166 TDs, government ministers with dozens of advisors, and thousands of civil servants? It beggars belief. It’s no wonder the so called Labour Party couldn’t resist the strong temptation of ‘mercs and perks’ to go into Government with the blue shirts (Fine Gael).

We can recall that the Labour ministers all voted for austerity measures and for the Universal Social Charge and a 6% government Levy on all pensioners’ private pensions. MEPs who failed to get elected are also entitled to huge lump sums and pension after a couple of years. It’s a nice gravy train for some.

Gordon Cunningham

Carndonagh Park

Donaghamede

Dublin 13