Politicians must lose to keep moral high ground

The €32m bill for paying politicians this year cannot be ignored in the forthcoming budget if the coalition parties want to retain the moral and political authority needed to impose devastating cuts on others.

Previous budgets have taken bits and pieces out of politicians’ pay but there has been nothing of the sort of gesture offered by French President François Hollande. On taking office in May, he announced a 30% cut for himself and his cabinet.

It emerged on Tuesday, during a hearing of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee, that Leinster House representatives will cost €31.7m this year — almost €20m in salaries and €11.7m in expenses.