It totally amazes me how this country is going down the drains. For a party that has helped build the boom of the early 90’s you’d think they were more than qualified to pull things back from the brink.
Correct me if I’m wrong but Fina Fails slogan for the last election was ‘and now for the next steps’.
They never told me their next steps would include three budgets in the space of 12 months higher taxes, pay cuts for the ordinary Joe and increased spending for themselves.
To date they have avoided the cuts themselves. With the next mini budget set for the first week of April they are expecting to claw back over 2billion.
It just shows we have a government in crisis unable to come up with an action plan to get us out of this mess they’ve left develop. More taxes is not the answer.
In a time of crisis you expect your politicians to lead and lead by example.
Currently thirty-six politicians from across the political divide are pocketing €700,000 a year in ministerial pensions — on top of inflated salaries and massive expenses. None of them have reached retirement age. I strongly believe serving TDs should not be in receipt of ministerial pensions while in office.
I also think 1 pension that rewards them for their service is enough………..and if someone goes on to serve in the EU because of their results as Minister their pensions should be linked and not doubled……..
What do you think? Should ministers receive pensions for every ministry they have served in? Should our elected representatives receive one pension only when it comes to retirement age or the individual involved retires from political life?
Looking at the long list of recipients here’s some of the pensions being paid annually:
Bertie Ahern remember him, he has a pension of over €160,000 on top of his salary.
Enda Kenny €15,000 Richard Bruton €14,041
Peter Sutherland chairman of BP €50,000 for his term as attorney General.
Senior Counsel Harry Whelehan (No relation) €50,000.
Mary O’Rourke €53,622
Micheal Woods €35,355
James McDaid €23,845
John Bruton €94,624 claiming two pensions one his ministerial and the second for his time as taoiseach. On top of his salary as EU Ambassador in Washington
Charlie McCreevy €70,710 on top of his Commissioner Salary
Albert Reynolds €103,454
Garret Fitzgerald €98,315
Ivor Callely a massive €667
Maire Geoghan Quinn who left political life 12 years ago receives €60,811 a year plus her salary at the European Court of Auditors.
Another saving which could be implemented no foreign trips unless it is totally necessary.
It seems our politicians have to be anywhere but Ireland on the most holy of days in the Irish calendar Paddy’s day.
Willie O’Dea has decided to stay at home again this year to run the country while the rest head off to fly the flag for our floundering economy, and its not being done on a shoestring budget either.
Last years exodus cost the tax payer over €523000 that’s according to the latest information obtained through the freedom of information act. The report says this figure could be bigger as the price doesn’t include the use of the government jet which some ministers took advantage of.
This year is said to be no different with ministers being sent to every corner of the world that has a St. Patricks day celebration.
Last years’ bill covers limousine hire, VIP airport lounges, five-star hotels, first-class and business-class flights, drinks receptions and fine dining.
Topping the leader board last year was then Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern whose party of four racked up a bill of €44,150 on their trip to China. Closely followed by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, to Australia, costing €38,262.
Although thousands were spent on limousine hire, Green Party leader John Gormley opted for a people-carrier run on biofuel in London, which cost €3,580 in rental fees.
Bertie Ahern remember him he travelled to Washington for the traditional exchange of a shamrock bowl in the White House, and billed the taxpayer for €18,195 to cover the trip of his party of seven.
Are all these trips necessary? Dose the country gain anything out of these junkets?
I’d love to know who books the trips. They must be making some profit.
I can do a trip to London for a fraction of the cost.
When you add up these costs it’s a total saving of €1,223,000 and they haven’t even taken a pay cut yet. I know it’s not much of a saving in the scheme of things but its a start.
Theme tune for your next state of the nation address Bifo: David Bowie and Queen - Under Pressure
