TD salary increase ‘a kick in the teeth to low-income earners’

Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD says he has called on the government to halt the increase in TD salaries that will happen at the end of the year if the new public service deal is approved.

“Ireland is going through the worst Cost of Living Crisis in generations,” Deputy Tóibín said.

“People on average salaries are suffering with many unable to pay the bills for necessities.

“Small businesses are being crucified by spiking energy bills.

“And yet in the middle of this, the ruling class is awarding itself a salary rise of €6,500.

“This is a pay increase worth over half an annual state pension for an older person.

“TDs will earn well over twice the average industrial wage”.

Deputy Tóibín also said that at a time when interest rates are getting higher, it is wrong that TDs are awarding themselves such a large pay rise.

“There exists two Irelands with an incredible gulf between the haves and the have nots,” he said.

“TDs income experience is increasingly different from the people they are meant to serve.

“You cannot govern properly if you cannot relate to the people that you are mean to serve.

“Day in day out, we see the material proof of this disconnect in the cost-of-living crisis and the never ending housing and health care crises.

“Many TDs do not know what its like for families around the kitchen table trying to work out how they will pay €120 for a tank full of petrol or how they will afford the weekly shop.

“Many TDs cannot relate to mothers and fathers who are lying awake at night wondering what bill they can pay this month and what will have to wait till next month.

“There is also the serious question of the National Debt. Ireland owes €241 billion euros.

“It equates to over €100,00 of debt for every worker in the State.

“This at a time when interest rates are getting higher. That TDs would be awarding themselves such increases in such high debt is wrong.

“Many TDs say that they have no choice over the salary that its locked in to over all public sector pay by legislation.

“But TDs can change that legislation at any time.

“This is not an excuse.

“In June the Taoiseach defended a pay rise for 4,000 public servants earning over €150,000 stating it’s the law.

“These pay rises were irrespective of productivity or benefit to the state.

“Individual productivity and accountability is missing from these discussions.

“My understanding is that Public Servants earning up to €150,000 will benefit from this round of pay increase also.

“This is a government over two Irelands for sure”.