TD Salary Increase is a Kick in the Teeth to Low Income Earners

TD Salary Increase is a Kick in the Teeth to Low Income Earners - Tóibín

Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has called on the government to halt the increase in TD salaries that will happen at the end of the year if the new public service deal is approved. An Teachta Tóibín stated;

“Ireland is going through the worst Cost of Living Crisis in generations. People on average salaries are suffering with many unable to pay the bills for necessities. Small businesses are being crucified by spiking energy bills. And yet in the middle of this, the ruling class is awarding itself a salary rise of €6,500. This is a pay increase worth over half an annual state pension for an older person. TDs will earn well over twice the average industrial wage”.

“There exists two Irelands with an incredible gulf between the haves and the have nots. TDs income experience is increasingly different from the people they are meant to serve. You cannot govern properly if you cannot relate to the people that you are mean to serve. Day in day out, we see the material proof of this disconnect in the cost-of-living crisis and the never ending housing and health care crises”.

“Many TDs do not know what its like for families around the kitchen table trying to work out how they will pay €120 for a tank full of petrol or how they will afford the weekly shop. Many TDs cannot relate to mothers and fathers who are lying awake at night wondering what bill they can pay this month and what will have to wait till next month”.

“There is also the serious question of the National Debt. Ireland owes €241 billion euros. It equates to over €100,00 of debt for every worker in the State. This at a time when interest rates are getting higher. That TDs would be warding themselves such increases in such high debt is wrong”

“Many TDs say that they have no choice over the salary that its locked in to over all public sector pay by legislation. But TDs can change that legislation at any time. This is not an excuse. In June the Taoiseach defended a pay rise for 4,000 public servants earning over €150,000 stating it’s the law. These pay rises were irrespective of productivity or benefit to the state. Individual productivity and accountability is missing from these discussions. My understanding is that Public Servants earning up to €150,000 will benefit from this round of pay increase also. This is a government over two Irelands for sure”.

CRÍOCH

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.