Our TD numbers are excessive in comparison with other countries

It is distressing to know our small, bankrupt country should have so many unnecessary positions created specially by its legislature. The constitution provides for one representative for every 20,000 to 30,000 people.

Without amending the Constitution, we could have a reduction of 16 TDs, instead of the eight proposed in the bill before the Oireachtas. The elimination of eight will not save the taxpayer much money; but the elimination of far more would relieve the situation substantially, since the basic pay of a deputy is ¤95,363, rising to ¤101,446 for long service TDs.

Then there are the perks: