Donegal Deputy seeking to introduce bill slashing TD’s wages

Sinn Fein Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty  will this afternoon seek to introduce a Bill to the Dáil that would dramatically cut payments and salaries to politicians.
The Reduction in Pay and Allowances of Government and Oireachtas Members Bill 2011 seeks to impose pay cuts of up to 30% on senior office holders including the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
The Bill also seeks to abolish outright an additional nine types of payment including allowances for group leaders, whips and committee chairs.
Speaking in advance of introducing the Bill Deputy Doherty said there has been a dramatic decline in the disposable income of the vast  majority of people in recent years.
He adding that Unemployment is rising and wages are falling at a time of rising inflation and interest rates hikes leaving many families at breaking point.
The Reduction in Pay and Allowances of Government and Oireachtas Members Bill 2011 would cut the Taoiseach’s pay by 30%, the Tánaiste’s pay by 28%, Ministers’ pay by 27% and the Ceann Comhairle’s pay by 36%.
In addition the Bill seeks to reduce pay to Ministers of State and other  other office holders on a scale ranging from 20% to 31% and to cut the basic salary of TDs and Senators by 19% and 9% respectively.