Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One of the very first acts of the Government on entering office in March 2011 was to cut the pay of all Ministers. In July 2013 the Taoiseach's pay was cut. Many people do not realise that the Taoiseach was the first in the history of the State to cut his own pay - by a cumulative figure of 40%. Former Taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen each had their pensions cut by €30,000. In the past, once a Deputy retired from the House, he or she could collect a pension but now Deputies must wait until they reach retirement age to do so. The Government has implemented a lot of cuts and brought about considerable change which should be enunciated and acknowledged. The cuts were progressive, with those earning less than €65,000 protected. The pay of Senators was reduced by only a small amount.

Many colleagues have spoken about councillors, but they were not affected by the cuts because they were not earning more than €65,000 per year. They would love to be earning even €30,000, but they are actually in receipt of €16,000 per annum. Their wages were cut in accordance with the terms of the local government reorganisation. They now travel more, but they are paid less. When I was a councillor back in 1991, I was able to fulfil my role while holding down a full-time job. However, when I was elected mayor, I had to give up my job. I probably could have continued to do both, but I could not have done either of them right. As a Senator, one must be here and if one cannot, one must make sure someone will stand in. There are both full-time and part-time Senators in this House, but I contend one cannot be in two places at once.

On the issue of the restoration of pay for public servants, legal issues may arise with the differentiation between elected and non-elected public servants. Under the Regulation of Lobbying Act, county councillors are defined as public office holders and designated as having to report on A, B and C. For the first time ever-----