Madam, – Our leaders are planning pain for us in the budget. I for one want them to lead us, so I would suggest that Brian Lenihan make the following, or similar, opening remarks:
1. This budget will cause hardship in most households. Accordingly I am starting with a 40 per cent cut in all politicians’ salaries and those of the top two layers of the public service. There will be lesser cuts down the scales, with the two bottom levels untouched.
2. There will be no payments for TDs chairing committees – this is part of their job.
3. All expenses will be reduced by 60 per cent for TDs and Senators.
4. All junior Minister posts are being eliminated. The Ministers can work harder.
5. Parliamentary pensions will be revised so that the recipient of a current salary will not also get a pension, and pensions will be paid only after age 60 or on retirement, whichever is later.
6. Advisers from outside the public service will not be appointed or paid for by the Exchequer without agreement from the Government and the majority of the opposition.
Some areas can not be subject to cuts – primarily policing, education and health.
The above measures would make a small difference to the Exchequer but are necessary to show Irish citizens that the rest of the budget is necessary.
I could take almost anything if I heard this first. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – There has been much knee-jerk reaction to Ibec’s proposal to cut welfare rates.
However the proposal makes perfect sense and it is fair. No one can ignore that there have been lavish increases over the past number of years in the basic dole payment and it is unsustainable to maintain it at over three times the UK rate.
Last October’s welfare increases assumed 2 per cent inflation, yet there has been price deflation in the economy, so Ibec’s 3 per cent cut is actually too little.
I would, however, like to see one welfare rate rise. Jobseeker’s benefit (which PRSI contributions entitles one to receive) should be increased and extended to at least two years, while at the same time jobseeker’s allowance should be cut to near UK levels.
It is grossly unfair to see those who have worked, have paid PRSI, and who have now lost their jobs but want to work, receive the same payment as those who have never paid PRSI, never worked and have no intention of doing so.
This could be easily funded by removing the PRSI ceiling and cutting the rate paid. This would reduce the burden on middle and lower income earners, but also provide extra income, as high earners would be paying more. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Might I respectfully suggest to the Cabinet that if it intends to again take out its long knives to slice chunks from the development aid budget today, it leave untouched the Irish missionary and implementing Irish non-governmental organisation sectors, as well as its own emergency budget.
In my experience, the Irish missionaries and the implementing non-governmental organisations have performed heroically in the many man-made and natural tragedies visited upon the developing world in the last three decades. It would represent rank stupidity to interfere with their vital activity.
The generosity of the Irish people is well established. But with the world economic crisis biting deep, it is reasonable to expect that funds from this source will be significantly reduced in the months ahead.
Accordingly it is imperative that the Department of Foreign Affairs retains a robust and large emergency budget, to deal with the unexpected. – Yours, etc,