I came into politics in 1982. I did not ask to come into this business, rather I was asked on eight occasions to enter politics. I refused to do so on those eight occasions but I gave in on the ninth occasion. I served on a local authority for six years. I never claimed as much as 1 cent while I was a member of that authority representing my county as mayor and as chairman of the county council at the time.
I regard this as outrageously hypocritical. I get a mere net pension of €167 per week and I cannot afford to give it up. However, in the interests of there being equity in this House, and standing in solidarity with my colleagues and with the people of Ireland and having regard to the great generosity of members of the Opposition, who have decided to donate their pensions to various bodies and organisations, I, too, am prepared to allocate my pension to various voluntary bodies and charitable organisations.
]]>We had the hypocrisy of Members opposite coming in here and making a statement last year that they would give away 5% of their salaries, reduce their salaries by 5% and leave that money to the Exchequer, but as soon as the Government took a decision, it did not take too long for Deputy Kenny and his colleagues to withdraw the request they had made to have 5% of their salaries donated.
]]>I first was elected to this House 28 years ago and have fought ten elections since then. On entering this House, I was proud to serve on a committee of public expenditure with some of the most outstanding former Ministers from all parties who had served this country over the years. The committee’s members worked together and took some powerful decisions in the interests of the country and of public expenditure and made a huge politically consensual contribution towards ensuring value for money for this country.
I regret that Members have allowed a situation to evolve that I would describe as being the politics of envy and the politics of hypocrisy. It is ironic that Fine Gael would table this motion and I note it has been supported by the Labour Party in its efforts of late. Deputy Kenny spoke to me last Tuesday week in this House and said he felt this whole pensions situation was really draconian and that it would drive politicians out of this House because there would be no incentive to remain. Perhaps a covert effort is under way, through tabling this motion, wherein the Opposition believes that by forcing this issue and forcing the hands of people, it might drive them out of this House so that it would not face competition in the next election from experienced people, be they current or former Ministers.
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