SINN FÉIN IS to publish a motion calling for the government to stop pay restoration for TDs, senators, and Ministers of State.
Additionally, the party says it will not be taking pay increases for its TDs should they in fact come to pass.
The party’s motion to the Dáil states that “the legacy of eight years of cuts to pay and public services continues to place enormous pressure on ordinary people and households”.
It states that the recovery being seen in Ireland is ”two-tier” one and that the “majority of households have yet to see any discernible difference in their everyday lives”.
At present all elected party representatives are in line for a €5,000 salary hike (€12,000 for ministers) in line with public sector pay as per the Lansdowne Road Agreement.
Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has asked ministers to forego their own pay restoration, something they are expected to do, but it is as yet unclear what will happen with TDs’ pay.
“It’s not fair that we have restoration first for those on more than €65,000 a year,” party TD David Cullinane said today.
Cullinane said that the fact some TDs have said they will take the restoration, and others have said they won’t, “is a matter for those TDs”.
“What happens in two weeks time (when the motion is debated) is a matter for the Dáil,” he said.
But yes, if we lose the motion we will not be taking this increase. We will simply not draw down the money from the state.
It won’t go into constituency services, we just won’t take it. There’s any number of ways in which that can be done.
“The best way to avoid all that is for TDs to take the right course of action,” Cullinane added.
This is an issue of fairness.
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