Menu
10/10/2008
Fine Gael Leader Takes 'Symbolic' Pay Cut
In lieu of next week's budget, the leader of the Fine Gael party has announced he will take a voluntary pay cut of 5% as an example to public service workers.
The surprise announcement came as leader Enda Kenny unveiled a package of pre-Budget proposals, which he believes would save the taxpayer €1.8bn annually.
The measures set out by Fine Gael include a 12 month freeze on pay and increments for those earning more than €50,000 in the public sector, 5,000 voluntary redundancies from within the civil service, a proposed fee level for banks using the Government guarantee of €1.5 billion and introducing an earnings cap of €125,000 for pension's relief.
Mr Kenny also urged Finance Minister Brian Lenihan not to increase personal income tax rates in his budget next week.
However, Fine Gael also demanded 5,000 voluntary redundancies in the public service to reduce its overall wage bill.
Pledging to take the 5% pay cut to his own salary, Mr Kenny said: "This is not an instruction to other TDs to do this. As leader of the Fine Gael party, this shows that I'm prepared to do my bit.
"It won't change the ISEQ Index or bring back Lehman Brothers but it's a start. It is a symbolic gesture."
Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton and deputy finance spokesman Kieran O'Donnell also agreed to accept the 5% pay cut and Mr Kenny said that he wrote to the Paymaster General earlier today on the issue.
The proposals also called for the axing of 30 or more 'quango' state agencies currently in existence.
(DW/JM)
The surprise announcement came as leader Enda Kenny unveiled a package of pre-Budget proposals, which he believes would save the taxpayer €1.8bn annually.
The measures set out by Fine Gael include a 12 month freeze on pay and increments for those earning more than €50,000 in the public sector, 5,000 voluntary redundancies from within the civil service, a proposed fee level for banks using the Government guarantee of €1.5 billion and introducing an earnings cap of €125,000 for pension's relief.
Mr Kenny also urged Finance Minister Brian Lenihan not to increase personal income tax rates in his budget next week.
However, Fine Gael also demanded 5,000 voluntary redundancies in the public service to reduce its overall wage bill.
Pledging to take the 5% pay cut to his own salary, Mr Kenny said: "This is not an instruction to other TDs to do this. As leader of the Fine Gael party, this shows that I'm prepared to do my bit.
"It won't change the ISEQ Index or bring back Lehman Brothers but it's a start. It is a symbolic gesture."
Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton and deputy finance spokesman Kieran O'Donnell also agreed to accept the 5% pay cut and Mr Kenny said that he wrote to the Paymaster General earlier today on the issue.
The proposals also called for the axing of 30 or more 'quango' state agencies currently in existence.
(DW/JM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 October 2012
Eight Fine Gael TDs Say Incremental Pay Increases Should Be Examined
Incremental pay increases and allowances for higher-paid public service workers should be examined for possible savings, according to eight Fine Gael TDs. In an article in the Irish Examiner, the group said these two areas are not part of the Croke Park Agreement and that pay increases must be put back on the table to correct the budget deficit.
Eight Fine Gael TDs Say Incremental Pay Increases Should Be Examined
Incremental pay increases and allowances for higher-paid public service workers should be examined for possible savings, according to eight Fine Gael TDs. In an article in the Irish Examiner, the group said these two areas are not part of the Croke Park Agreement and that pay increases must be put back on the table to correct the budget deficit.
26 August 2016
Tributes Paid To Former Fine Gael Deputy Leader Peter Barry
Former Fine Gael deputy leader Peter Barry has died at the age of 88. Mr Barry, a businessman from Cork and the man behind the Barry's Tea brand, served as minister for foreign affairs and played a key role in the Anglo-Irish Agreement. The Taoiseach Enda Kenny led tributes to Mr Barry.
Tributes Paid To Former Fine Gael Deputy Leader Peter Barry
Former Fine Gael deputy leader Peter Barry has died at the age of 88. Mr Barry, a businessman from Cork and the man behind the Barry's Tea brand, served as minister for foreign affairs and played a key role in the Anglo-Irish Agreement. The Taoiseach Enda Kenny led tributes to Mr Barry.
22 September 2010
Sheehan 'Embarrassment' Says Kenny
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has called the incident involving PJ Sheehan as an "embarrassment to the party". Yesterday, Cork South West TD PJ Sheehan resigned from the party after levelling drunken abuse at a female Garda last July. He made the announcement after a meeting with the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny on Tuesday morning.
Sheehan 'Embarrassment' Says Kenny
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has called the incident involving PJ Sheehan as an "embarrassment to the party". Yesterday, Cork South West TD PJ Sheehan resigned from the party after levelling drunken abuse at a female Garda last July. He made the announcement after a meeting with the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny on Tuesday morning.
19 October 2009
Seanad 'Should Be Abolished' - Fine Gael
Democracy remains at the heart of the political process in Ireland – even though there has been a call to abolish the Upper House. The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, has said that he believes the country needs to maintain its democratic institutions and that democratic accountability was more important than ever.
Seanad 'Should Be Abolished' - Fine Gael
Democracy remains at the heart of the political process in Ireland – even though there has been a call to abolish the Upper House. The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, has said that he believes the country needs to maintain its democratic institutions and that democratic accountability was more important than ever.
22 May 2008
Daíl Outraged By Taoiseach's 'F**kers' Remark
Brian Cowen was caught on microphone on Wednesday uttering the phrase "those f**kers", following heated exchanges in the Daíl. It was revealed the expletive was aimed at the state agency responsible for consumer protection and not at members of the opposition.
Daíl Outraged By Taoiseach's 'F**kers' Remark
Brian Cowen was caught on microphone on Wednesday uttering the phrase "those f**kers", following heated exchanges in the Daíl. It was revealed the expletive was aimed at the state agency responsible for consumer protection and not at members of the opposition.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
