Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Let me make it crystal clear that it is not my intention, nor did I ever make the announcement, to exclude Members of the Oireachtas. I am saying that, on a voluntary basis, members of the Government have determined that they should be, with their advisers and other officeholders. Bluntly, I do not think we should isolate any category of worker, although I know that there is a school of thought that this would be popular. As the pay rate for Senators is €65,000, I do not think they are overpaid. I do not think Deputies are currently overpaid, but that is my personal view. They should benefit from pay restoration with every other analogous worker, no more, no less. As a clear signal, members of the Government will exclude themselves from the restoration in its entirety.