Members of the Oireachtas were deeply annoyed to learn yesterday, through this newspaper, that they have been offered a 3 per cent special pay increase, rather than the 30 per cent claimed by them in a submission to the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Service. It is understandable that TDs and Senators should be disappointed by the size of the pay offer, given their demands; but their patent feeling of being insulted and demeaned is misplaced. A 3 per cent special increase, in addition to the terms of Partnership 2000, may not make any elected representative rich, but it is more than many people in the public and private sector will receive. It also reflects the economic constraint required in the area of public service pay.
Proportion and balance is vital in any just, thriving and caring society. That is why huge daily and hourly earning by barristers and solicitors in the Courts; enormous salaries of some top executives and earnings by consultants and other skilled professionals, have become a source of disaffection and anger for the less privileged. This yawning gap in pay, levels is a particular feature of the US and British economies and Ireland has begun to move in that direction. It is not a positive development in a State which will require pay restraint and social cohesion to sustain its recent rapid economic growth, levels.
Given the circumstances, the pay demand made by Oireachtas members was outrageous. The claim was presented last May, when the Government was about, to open negotiations with the social partners on Partnership 2000. The Minister for Finance was pleading for public service pay restraint so that income tax reductions and anti poverty measures could be afforded in the Budget. Against this background, a demand for a 30 per cent special pay increase for TDs and Senators, did not send any of the correct signals. Even if the individuals concerned were badly paid for their growing workload - and they are - the claim was misjudged. All political parties are experiencing difficulties in attracting professional, high profile candidates. But that is not a new phenomenon. Salary level is just one of the features which head hunted individuals find unacceptable about Dail life; working hours, impact on family life, career prospects and job insecurity are equally unappealing.
Public fury broke over politicians when an increase of 17 per cent was accepted by Ministers in 1993. And the present Cabinet reacted by forgoing the rise. Given the low esteem in which politicians are currently held by the public, a pay award of 30 per cent would have caused a public outcry. The nursing profession, which enjoys great public sympathy and has a tradition of poor pay, is only now balloting on a Government offer secured under threat of industrial action. That pay offer ranges from 7 to 18 per cent through the various nursing grades. In that context, the three per cent awarded to Oireachtas members is not unfair.