David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister referred to a fair wage for Members of the Oireachtas and said that the wage should reflect the responsibilities we have. We are very well paid, and I am sure the Minister accepts that. We receive two and a half times the average industrial wage. Currently, a public sector worker on an average salary of between €35,000 and €40,000 per annum will receive a €1,000 increase or restoration, yet those who are on over €65,000, including Members of the House, will receive a minimum of 8%, which is a total of €5,400. That is an increase of over €100 per week. I do not believe that is justified. The Minister can talk about linking our pay to that of principal officers, but ultimately the decisions are made by this House. We are the people who amended the FEMPI legislation. The Government of the day introduced the FEMPI Act - we opposed it - which unilaterally took money from public servants. People on salaries below €65,000 are not seeing pay restoration. That is the reason they are threatening strike action. People on more than €65,000, including Members of the House, will get increases, and I do not believe that is fair. This is a matter of fairness.

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