Real Leadership is about being first not last to take cuts
Politicians cost us €107 million
Here's a Solution to save us
€10.7 Million- Base the Pay of Politicians on jobs in the real world - €7.75 Million
- Cut back on show-up-to-work and other expenses - €2.9 Million
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Real leadership is about being first, not last, to take cuts. Real leadership is about facing up to reality, not ignoring it.
Politicians are paid out of line with the real world. TDs are paid more than people entrusted to provide quality control in drug companies or to run the logistics of most businesses, and for what? What do they do that warrants the salary of €93,000 per annum, that of senior responsible individuals? Most TDs are in charge of vote winning in their constituency and following their party line in voting.
Ministers are paid significantly more than the typical business leader, despite arriving into departments that already have a professional management structure in the civil service.
Our Taoiseach is paid more than world leaders of significantly larger and more prosperous nations.
Politicians do not have the moral authority to impose cuts onto ordinary people while they continue to pay themselves above and beyond what is their fair share.
Tax-free expenses claimed by Each TD 2011
- Our TDs and Ministers are among the best paid in the world
- They claim tax-free expenses, many without receipts, on top of pay
- They dole out cap-busting salaries to their advisers and all received golden pensions
- We want each TD and Minister to sign a pledge to lower their pay, cut expenses and advisers costs
We need you to send them a message: If it’s austerity they want, they have to share in it
| Job | N0. | Pay Today | Real Pay | Real World | Saving Incl. PRSI | Total Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD | 134 | €92,672 | €60,000 | Qualified Middle Managers | €36,184.24 | €4,848,688.16 |
| Taoiseach | 1 | €200,000 | €160,000 | British Prime Minister | €44,300 | €44,300 |
| Tanaiste | 1 | €184,405 | €145,000 | Senior Director | €43,641.04 | €43,641.04 |
| Minister | 13 | €169,275 | €120,000 | Managing Director | €54,572.06 | €709,436.81 |
| Jnr Minister | 14 | €130,042 | €80,000 | Senior Management | €130,042 | €775,901.21 |
| Super Jnr | 1 | €147,247 | €100,000 | Director | €130,042 | €52,326.05 |
| Ceann Comhairle | 1 | €191,417 | €120,000 | Managing Director | €130,042 | €79,094.33 |
| Leas CC | 1 | €139,266 | €80,000 | Senior Management | €130,042 | €65,637.10 |
| Cathaoirleach | 1 | €137,038 | €80,000 | Senior Management | €130,042 | €63,169.59 |
| Leas Ca | 1 | €117,101 | €60,000 | Qualified Middle Manager | €130,042 | €63,239.36 |
| Senator | 58 | €66,621 | €50,000 | Middle Management | €130,042 | €1,003,414.94 |
| Total Saving | €7.75 Million |
There are additional salary payments for a variety of roles. For example the Government Whip receives an additional €6,000, the leader of the Senate receives an additional €19,439 and the leader of the Taoiseach’s nominees to the Senate receives an additional €6,000. There are numerous other such examples of additional payments for various roles.
Getting expenses for turning up to work is taxable and taking expenses unvouched is illegal for any ordinary person. If politicians are to tell us to tighten our belts, they ought to tighten theirs first. The new government cut back the pay of ministers, but this meant less of a pay increase rather than a pay cut for incoming members. Their pay is still well out of line with the real world.
Politicians need to tighten their belts
- Only 1 TD claimed no expenses
- The average TD took €36,400
- TDs who take the ‘average wage’ pass the money to their party
- Dublin TDs get €12,000 to travel to the Dàil… In Dublin 2