Menu
28/07/2008
Cutbacks Should Start At Top Says FG TD
A Fine Gael TD has revealed almost €10 million will be spent this year on assistance to the Taoiseach and his Ministers.
The party's spokesman on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Michael Rin has released figures showing the Taoiseach and his Ministers will spend €3.7m on special advisers, €3.1m on press officers and €2.9m on constituency staff, a total of almost €10m this year alone.
"At a time of cutbacks, the knife should start at the bloated top where Ministers are surrounded by huge retinues of advisers, press officers and constituency workers. Let's see the Government lead by example and cut some of these jobs instead of taking frontline services away in areas like health and education," said Mr Ring.
The news comes as the government announces a list of cuts in national spending to cope with the economic crises, and revelations that €83 million has been paid to the states county and city councilors in the past year.
A report in an Irish newspaper on Monday exposed the extensive monies paid to councilors who are reported to on average earn €33,347, despite only having a part time role.
Michael Ring said: "These bloated Ministerial offices cannot be immune from cutbacks. The Government tried to pretend that health and education services would not be cut, but with every passing day we hear of more and more services under threat.
"The Government must lead from the front and cut from the top.
"Brian Cowen who led us into the recession costs €1.9m. The Minister for Health who is employing even more consultants this week costs us over €900,000 and the Minister for the Environment who awarded a €1m contract for bat research this week will cost us €800,000 in backup. Its time the Taoiseach and his Ministers got their priorities right."
(DW)
The party's spokesman on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Michael Rin has released figures showing the Taoiseach and his Ministers will spend €3.7m on special advisers, €3.1m on press officers and €2.9m on constituency staff, a total of almost €10m this year alone.
"At a time of cutbacks, the knife should start at the bloated top where Ministers are surrounded by huge retinues of advisers, press officers and constituency workers. Let's see the Government lead by example and cut some of these jobs instead of taking frontline services away in areas like health and education," said Mr Ring.
The news comes as the government announces a list of cuts in national spending to cope with the economic crises, and revelations that €83 million has been paid to the states county and city councilors in the past year.
A report in an Irish newspaper on Monday exposed the extensive monies paid to councilors who are reported to on average earn €33,347, despite only having a part time role.
Michael Ring said: "These bloated Ministerial offices cannot be immune from cutbacks. The Government tried to pretend that health and education services would not be cut, but with every passing day we hear of more and more services under threat.
"The Government must lead from the front and cut from the top.
"Brian Cowen who led us into the recession costs €1.9m. The Minister for Health who is employing even more consultants this week costs us over €900,000 and the Minister for the Environment who awarded a €1m contract for bat research this week will cost us €800,000 in backup. Its time the Taoiseach and his Ministers got their priorities right."
(DW)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 March 2009
Pay Hike Coming For TDs
Over two dozen TDs are due to get a €3,000 pay rise in the coming months despite mass spending cuts and wage reductions across the public sector. The 26 of the Dail's 166 TDs are in line for long-service increments, which are paid after TDs have been sitting in the Dail for seven years.
Pay Hike Coming For TDs
Over two dozen TDs are due to get a €3,000 pay rise in the coming months despite mass spending cuts and wage reductions across the public sector. The 26 of the Dail's 166 TDs are in line for long-service increments, which are paid after TDs have been sitting in the Dail for seven years.
29 April 2016
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
19 January 2016
Minister For Foreign Affairs Attends EU Meeting On Syria And Iraq
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, has attended a meeting of European Union Foreign Minister in Brussels, to discuss Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and the Middle East Peace Process were discussed. The meeting was the first gathering of the Foreign Affairs Council in 2016.
Minister For Foreign Affairs Attends EU Meeting On Syria And Iraq
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, has attended a meeting of European Union Foreign Minister in Brussels, to discuss Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and the Middle East Peace Process were discussed. The meeting was the first gathering of the Foreign Affairs Council in 2016.
04 February 2015
Govt Supports New Proposals To Tackle Alcohol Consumption
The government has signed off on new proposals by the Department of Health to cut down on alcohol consumption in Ireland to the OECD average by 2020. Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said the proposed Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 is part of a range of measures designed to reduce alcohol consumption.
Govt Supports New Proposals To Tackle Alcohol Consumption
The government has signed off on new proposals by the Department of Health to cut down on alcohol consumption in Ireland to the OECD average by 2020. Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said the proposed Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 is part of a range of measures designed to reduce alcohol consumption.
23 January 2012
Iran Embargo Could Hit Oil Price – Tanaiste
The Taniaste has said the embargo on the newly introduced embargo on Iran could hit fuel prices here. EU foreign ministers agreed to an embargo on Monday afternoon in an effort to pressurize the country into cancelling its nuclear programme.
Iran Embargo Could Hit Oil Price – Tanaiste
The Taniaste has said the embargo on the newly introduced embargo on Iran could hit fuel prices here. EU foreign ministers agreed to an embargo on Monday afternoon in an effort to pressurize the country into cancelling its nuclear programme.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
