Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will not accept either amendment. It is unconstitutional to cut the pay of the President. It would not be possible to reduce the salary of the President as it is set in the Constitution. I am not sure it was the intention of the Senator to reduce the entire remuneration of all officeholders in the House to nil. The amendment would result in a 100% reduction in the remuneration of the Leader and Deputy Leader of the House, leaders of the Opposition and assistant Whips, all of whom would be expected to turn up for work for no pay. I do not believe that was the intention.