Sinn Féin's financial spokes-person has introduced a new bill that, if passed, would significantly reduce various politicians’ salaries.
If enacted into law, the Reduction in Pay and Allowances of Government and Oireachtas Members Bill would mandate cuts of up to 30 per cent for senior office holders such as the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, in addition to eliminating payment allowances for group leaders and committee chairs, among others.
The bill was motivated, said Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty, by the perception of a widening economic gap between highly paid politicians and low-paid state workers.
Citing a recent decline in the Irish population’s disposable income, Doherty formulated the bill as a way for politicians and elected officials to re-balance economic tensions through relinquishing high pay allowances.
“In the current economic climate there is a need for those of us who are elected to public office to show leadership,” Doherty announced on 21 June upon introducing the bill. “If there are sacrifices to be borne then we should be in the front line of making those sacrifices.”
Doherty’s rhetoric emphasised his take on the pay gap as related to the plight of the middle class.
“Unemployment is rising and wages are falling at a time of rising inflation and interest rates hikes. Many families are now at breaking point,” he said.
Doherty also made the point of comparing Irish politicians’ salaries to those of other political figures in Europe.
“Considering the exceptionally high starting point for Irish politicians’ pay when compared with our EU counterparts, the cuts introduced to date are simply not enough."
While the British Prime Minister earns £142,000 per year, the Taoiseach takes in a much higher €200,000 (£179,000). Doherty’s cuts would reduce the Taoiseach’s annual salary to approximately €156,000.
Since its introduction, Doherty’s bill has been placed on the order paper.
