Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

After all the pronouncements about the universal social charge in Tuesday's budget package agreed by the Government and Fianna Fáil, a worker on €20,000 a year will benefit to the tune of €1.92 per week, while those on €30,000 a year can look forward to an increase of €2.88 per week and a person earning €45,000 a year can expect a whopping increase of €4.43 per week. Pensioners, carers, citizens with disabilities and others in receipt of social welfare payments will get a little more - a whole fiver per week - but not young people who are worth only €2.70 per week, according to the Government and Fianna Fáil.

We have not been told exactly when people will receive these increases but the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, indicated it will be some time in March. As it happens, around the same time another group of citizens will receive an increase in their pay. I am referring of course to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister, his colleagues in Cabinet and the Deputies in the Chamber today. Politicians will not be fobbed with an increase of a fiver per week though. The Taoiseach is in line to get an increase of almost €5,000 next year, and a further €5,000 per year in the following two years, brining his salary to an even €200,000. The Minister will not too badly either, as he will receive almost €4,000 per annum for the next three years, or almost €12,000 in total. There will be no waiting, uncertainty or measly €5 for them. What of Deputies? In April 2017 and again in the following year, they will receive more than €2,500, giving a total increase of €5,200 over two years. This is not exactly fair, is it?

This morning, we were told in some media outlets that Ministers will be asked to defer their salary increase. That is not good enough. A stop must be put to all these increases. When citizens are struggling that would be the fair, right and decent thing to do. It is once again a case of one rule for ordinary families and citizens and another rule for those who are in power. It is an example of looking after No. 1 while the rest can wait. The Government tells us this is new politics but it is the good old days again, which is perhaps not surprising given that Fianna Fáil's fingerprints are all over a budget once again. I have a simple question. Will the Minister assure the House that no salary increase will be paid at this time to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Ministers, Deputies or Senators?

See this speech in context