Madam, – I find the discussion on giving up TD and ministerial pensions confusing. The instruction by some TDs to the Department of Finance to cancel payments of pensions means that the pension is forfeited – albeit temporarily.
However, some TDs have intimated that they will donate their pensions to charity. This means they continue to draw down their pension and give it in total to a charity. There are two consequences of this – there is no benefit to the exchequer/taxpayer and the TD is in a position to claim tax relief on the charitable donation. Typical political manoeuvring.
– Yours, etc,
Madam, – Leaving aside the fact the many politicians are “patriotically” volunteering to forgo their pensions while still in the Oireachtas, the actual figures are amazing Máire Geoghegan-Quinn (who was a competent minister) is forgoing €108,000 based on her service in the Dáil for the duration of her commissionership.
A very well paid public servant earning a final salary of €216,000 would receive this after 40 years service at the age of 60 or 65. In due course, our commissioner will get considerable further pensions based on her time doing European work on our behalf.
Other ministers and deputies can look forward to their teachers’ pension as well as their Oireachtas pensions and the possibility of a few well-paid years as a political appointment to a bank or quango. In the meantime, they get allowances for expenses they do not incur and loads of holidays to make adjustment to retirement more bearable. Why not one public service pension at age 60/65 based on final salary for all public service years (full) worked or some fair formula providing for a comfortable retirement?
I call for an independent (if possible) review body to review the pay, pensions and allowances of TDs, senators and ministers.
– Yours, etc,
Madam, – The newest form of political sub-division since the Treaty – pro-pension and anti-pension factions prompts the question: who will lay down their pension for their country?
– Yours, etc,
Madam, – Does morality only start when times are hard? Why is the economic downturn constantly cited as the raison d'êtrefor forgoing obscene and questionable pension practices?
Commentators and critics, as well as politicians and other public figures, have frequently said that “in these times” enormous pensions and salaries are not appropriate.
However, if these are dubious practices and superfluous payments, they should neither be accepted nor tolerated at any time. Why do the beneficiaries of these grotesque salaries and pensions, as well as many commentators and critics, rail against them only now? Is our society so bereft of moral fibre?
– Yours, etc,