Presidential pay cut: salary falls €75,000

THE GOVERNMENT is to reduce the official salary for the president by more than €75,000 per year.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin told the Dáil in answer to a parliamentary question that new legislation will set the pay rate for the next president at €249,014.

The current official salary is €325,507 although President Mary McAleese voluntarily surrendered €65,102 (20 per cent) of her salary for 2010.

Mr Howlin said the Government had no plans to alter the additional allowance of €317,434 provided for entertainment and other expenses related to the office.

Under legislation going back to 1973, the personal salary of the president is set at the rate paid to the chief justice plus 10 per cent.

Mr Howlin said that, under the Constitution, the remuneration and allowances of a serving president are protected against cuts as Article 12.11.3 provides that the emoluments and allowances of the president shall not be reduced while in office.

In line with my stated intention to provide for reduced salary rates applicable to new appointees to the judiciary, I am also making provision for a reduced salary payable to the new president of Ireland following the forthcoming election.

“The new salary will be €249,014 and the necessary legislative amendment will be provided for in the forthcoming single pension Bill.