Why Did Watt get a Special Salary, Not Benchmarked and Divorced From any Process?

Questioning the Minister for Public Expenditure at the Oireachtas Finance Committee today, Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has slammed the special standard created for Robert Watt’s salary created independent of any benchmark or any reference to any other wage.

An Teachta Tóibín: “Robert Watt received a pay increase so massive that most people would dream of earning in total, just the differential between his former salary and his new income. Despite the enormous economic crises facing the country and the falling purchasing power of most citizens, FF/FG/Greens provided a pay increase plucked out of the air to entice Watt from one Department to another”.

“€81,000 pay increase is incredible most especially in the midst of a global economic shock. The majority of salaries are falling in real terms as inflation bites harder than forecasted. He has also enjoyed two pay raises since getting his boosted salary.

“When I questioned the Minister today at Committee, he confirmed there was no benchmarking or pay-scale applied to Watt’s salary. The Minister also stated that Watt’s outlier salary would not be factored into future benchmarking of salaries or pay increases”.

This underlines yet again that this was a “special salary increase” divorced from any domestic or international reference point, independent of any process.

The Minister then further contradicted himself by saying that there was a performance element to this salary increase, but poor performance would not affect the salary. Yet again it is one rule for the political class and another for citizens. This pay increase is a slap in the face who can barely afford to exist – let alone live – in modern day Ireland.”

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.