David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Was it 40%? That is a hell of a lot of a cut. Let us have a bit of respect. We have a Taoiseach making decisions about billions of euro and the future of the country, as the previous Senator referred to, yet we are cheeseparing. Come on. Let us have a bit of respect for the profession of politics. Let us pay people a decent and reasonable wage. If the Taoiseach was earning €200,000, a 40% cut would mean it was €80,000. I welcome openly and publicly the fact that he will be getting €15,000 back. I do not like this kind of begrudgery and cheapness. It is wrong and reprehensible. It is a stunt.

A begrudging reference was also made to Members with other incomes from outside the House. I am one of them. I taught for 30 years in Trinity College Dublin. I was bloody good, bringing in people from all over the world to the university. I get a small pension from Trinity but I am damned if I am going to sacrifice it. I worked hard for it. I earned it and deserve it. I am taking it and I am not giving a solitary cent of it back. I would advise Ministers in the other House to grab it while it is going. Take it. They work hard and unsociable hours. They get dogs abuse from the public. They get hemmed in in their motor cars when they go to give educational awards. Money would not compensate for the lives that some politicians have to lead. They are entitled to it.I make no apology for saying that. The Taoiseach took a huge cut, equating to 40%, but we heard nothing about this. It is never advertised around the place that he took a 40% pay cut, but when he gets back €15,000, everyone screams about it. That is rubbish.