TDs and MPs: how they rate
I wonder what would happen to our Celtic Tiger if every worker enjoyed the same conditions as our elected betters. Our political system is a copy of the British one, so how do our politicians compare with Britain?
In 2005, the Dáil sat for 92 days, compared with 135 days for the House of Commons. The Dáil working week is typically Tuesday to Thursday, compared with Monday to Thursday for the House of Commons, which sometimes also sits on Fridays.
In 2005, the Dáil sat for only three four-day weeks and no five-day week. In comparison, the House of Commons sat for 20 four-day weeks and eight five-day weeks.
I have no doubt the mere thought of having to work just one measly five-day week is likely to send many TDs to the nearest A&E with heart problems - not to mention requests for a pay rise.
A TD has an average of 25,000 constituents, whereas a British MP has an average of 93,000.
TDs claim they need to be at home attending clinics to hear the concerns of their constituents. But British MPs also attend clinics and yet manage to work more days.
Why can’t TDs use technologies like post, phone, fax and email to keep in touch with constituents?
An excuse for the three-day week is that rural TDs need to travel further to get home. But what about Welsh and Scottish MPs?
A TD and a British MP get the same basic salary, approx €90,000 a year.
However, British MPs attend the House of Commons an extra 40 days; they have a longer working week and shorter holidays.
They have nearly four times the number of constituents and have to travel vastly longer distances. Who do you think offers better value for money?
TDs claim they are at work even when the Dáil is not in session. But what work?
A TD’s job is to enact laws, supervise the Government and control the finances of the State. These can only be done when the Dáil is in session. So if the Dáil is not sitting, then a TD is simply not at work.
I find it fascinating that TDs bend over backwards to get into the Dáil. Candidates claim they must have a Dáil seat properly to represent our interests.
So why is it that when they win that seat, they will do almost anything to be anywhere other than in the Dáil. If they are not there, then they are not representing our interests. Maybe they don’t really want to be there. Perhaps we voters should take the hint.
Jason FitzHarris
Rivervalley
Swords
Co Dublin
