Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

I welcome the pension reform measures. Some of the public service pensions will be reduced by approximately 4% on average. This, as the Minister for Finance stated, will generate a €100 million saving in 2011. It is a significant saving in the context of a €6 billion adjustment, and it had to be done. It does not please anyone to have to do it, but the money must be found.

Earlier today I spoke about the issue of pay cuts and I want to elaborate. I mentioned that a levy is to be introduced on Deputies which was not well advertised and that the media seem to be saying that we were not taking a pay cut, which we are. I also note the comments made by other speakers on the Taoiseach's salary and that of the Tánaiste and Ministers. I am glad that people are belatedly addressing this issue. As I stated in 2002 and 2003, we needed to take a pay cut. When I called for a pay cut for Ministers in 2008, Deputy Kenny stated it was populist nonsense. In fairness to him, he did a U-turn the following week and took a 5% pay cut, and tried to persuade some of this parliamentary colleagues to do the same. We are all taking a pay cut, whether we like it or not. That is the only collective way one can do it.

As a Green Party member I give to my party the maximum permitted donation of €6,300 because we do not take corporate donations. In view of this, one is at a disadvantage compared to some other parties when fighting elections. One can only go so far in taking voluntary pay cuts when one knows one's colleagues in other parties have a little extra cash to spend on advertising, race nights, literature, etc.

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