Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I support the motion. There is no proposal in the motion which would allow Deputies to set their own salaries. What is being requested is that Deputies voluntarily agree not to accept these huge increases. The motion refers to a two-tier recovery but things are worse than that. The Government is supporting the rich and powerful in our society while low and middle income and poor families are being mugged daily. There is a housing crisis and people are on hospital trolleys and waiting lists. They are finding it almost impossible to make ends meet. The 2016 budget gave €120 million to the richest 5% in the country while the 2017 budget gives them another €52 million. At the same time, Social Justice Ireland has said the budget for 2017 disproportionately favours the wealthiest in our society. Even after the budget and the €5 per week increase, the basic social welfare rate is €17 per week below the line at which a person is at risk of poverty. Of our people, 750,000 live in poverty while one in every five children lives in a household which lives below the poverty line. Some 20% of children are in poverty. These are shocking statistics. Those on the minimum wage get 10 cent and our pensioners get €5. It beggars belief that the political elite in the Dáil should think they are worth an additional €100 per week. Deputies should lead by example. I have certainly advised the Oireachtas authorities that I will not accept this increase.

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