Outdated job practice must end

There is something fundamentally and radically wrong when public services in this country are deplorably inadequate, yet taxpayers are paying members of the legislature considerable sums annually to benefit from one of those services to which they contribute absolutely nothing.

It is an anomaly, albeit a legal one, that by virtue of the fact that 20 members of the Dáil and Seanad are still technically teachers, they have received collectively almost €500,000 over the past five years because they are deemed to be on leave of absence from their schools.

It is an indefensible practice which has existed for about 30 years and one which should be abandoned immediately.