Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This debate was needed. Last August, I was one of the first Deputies to say that, given people throughout the country have been struggling over recent years, it was not morally right to accept the increase. Ex-taoisigh are to get an extra €15,000 while there are those who are struggling to pay a mortgage. An increase in the salaries of 158 Deputies will not make or break the world, but it sends out the wrong signal. People throughout the country are living in tough conditions at the moment and Deputies have to ensure that the message is sent out to every constituency that we are not in it for the money.

I question the whole system. Deputies are like subbies. We are here for two, three or, perhaps, five years. If I were doing a job in the private sector, once I had it done, I would have to go and do the next one. I question what we are entitled to when it comes to pensions, etc. Can the country afford this type of system? The deals negotiated by the unions need to be questioned. We can compare those who earn €20,000 to €40,000 a year and the pay rises they are to get with the union bosses who are on €140,000 or €150,000 a year and who negotiated increases of €5,000 to €6,000 for those in the upper echelons of the Civil Service and Deputies. This motion should not apply only to Deputies. It should be extended to anyone in the public service who is earning more than €70,000 or €80,000 a year. They should not be getting pay rises, because it is middle Ireland that has suffered and been crippled in the past years.

It is good to hear in the past few minutes that the teachers' strike has been called off. Common sense needed to prevail because children needed to return to school. The upper echelons, be they ex-taoisigh or senior civil servants, are all in the mix and represented by their unions. They need to take the bull by the horns, step back and say they are not entitled to the increase. If legislation is required, it should be enacted. Whatever money is saved should be given to middle Ireland. It should be given to young nurses and teachers. We do not have a pot of gold. We cannot give out money on every side of us. We need to ensure that those who are in most need get it.

I would also like to see an end to Deputies who have public service jobs such as teaching posts straddling both sides. They should not preach that they are Deputies while they hold onto their public service job and someone else is sent in to substitute. Give up the job. Let that person have it. Be brave enough to make that decision and show a way forward. Do not try to keep two jobs going at the one time.

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