There has been much talk about the high salaries of Ministers, and Mr Blythe, in reply, pointed out that acceptance of a ministerial post meant giving up one's business and the possibility of being thrown out of office at some later period when it would be difficult, if not impossible, to resume that business. If the salaries were small, it would mean that only very rich men could accept office, and he pointed out that there was a distinct shortage of very rich men in the Free State. The only alternative was to get a cheap and inferior article that would be glad of even a small salary.
President Cosgrave carried the argument further. "I know of no Minister," he said, "who has been able to save money. Speaking for myself, I may say that, if it were not for other means, I would not have been able to carry out, even in the modest way I have, the duties of my office."
Mr Cosgrave's speech was punctuated by frequent interruptions from the Opposition, and he administered some very hard knocks to both the leader of that party and his followers. It was difficult to see the point of Mr de Valera's interjections, but there could be no doubt regarding the President's replies. Eventually the division bell rang, and the bill passed its final reading by seventy votes to fifty-four.
The Irish Times, March 20th, 1931