Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

Members of the public are prepared to take the pain reluctantly only if they see those who are assumed to be the high flyers taking the pain as well. The bankers are definitely high flyers. Most politicians earn a good salary and have generous expenses but are not exactly flowing in it. At the same time we earn more than the average industrial wage and we must take our share. We must ensure that, in trying to promote our political persuasions, we are not being funded by other more sinister interests. That is what damaged the heart of this State in the past, the cause of the 20% separate from the global problem. It must end now.

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