Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

This measure is not aimed at chairpersons of State boards who earn up to €500,000 or other public sector workers on high salaries but people in our constituencies. To amplify my earlier point, based on the most accurate information the Department can furnish, two thirds of public sector workers in County Donegal earn less than €20,000 per annum. The measures proposed will reduce their net income by 5%. The proposal should not be supported in any shape or form. The required savings could be made by ensuring appropriate measures are taken to reduce the salaries of those who have the highest incomes and can afford to pay.

We had a lengthy discussion on the Taoiseach's remuneration. A 20% reduction may look good and go down well with spin doctors, but the Taoiseach will continue to have a massive salary. While I accept he does an important job, he and his Ministers should not be remunerated at the levels proposed. Taking into account the effects of taxation, levies and so on, the true reduction in their pay is not sufficient. It is outrageous that the lowest paid public sector workers are having their pay cut by 5%.

Progress reported; Committee to sit again.