Aontú Bill to Cut TDs Salary by 25% During Covid Economic Restrictions

Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD has submitted a new Bill to the Dail that if past would cut the salary of TDs and Seanadóirí by 25% during Level 4 and Level 5 restrictions and when premises such as Pubs, Cafes and Restaurants are closed due to Covid Restrictions.

According to An Teachta Tóibín;

“The mantra of this government has been that “we are all in this together”. That’s plainly untrue. Hundreds of thousands of workers and businesses have had their ability to earn a salary taken away from them. They have had their income radically reduced. Many have been pushed into poverty. The restrictions have had an enormous cost to so many people throughout the country”.

“We believe that politicians cannot represent properly if they cannot relate. Its clear that the government do not know what is like for families right around the country. Making decisions for so many people and being immune to the consequences of those decisions does not make for good governance. If politicians don’t share in the cost of those decisions, they are blind to the real experience of so many people”.

“We believe that the chasm that exists between the people and the elected representatives has never been as wide. In the last economic crash, there was a logical downward pressure on the incomes of elected reps in line with the rest of society. But on this occasion, politicians salaries are actually going in the opposite direction to hundreds of thousands of people. While the savings to the state in this proposed salary cut may not be large its really important that everyone, including TDs pays their share of the cost of getting Ireland back on its feet. We need as a society to do all we can to keep the Covid 19 numbers down. We also need to learn with this illness that will be with us for a long period of time”.

“Its time that the body politic in Ireland led by example. The words “We are all in this together” are thrown around like confetti. Its time for TDs to put their money where their mouth is and back the Aontú Bill”.

NB: Please find the Bill and the Explanatory Memorandum attached.

Explanatory Memorandum re Oireachtas Members Bill 2020-1

Oireachtas Members Bill 2020-1

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.