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10/10/2008
Fine Gael Leader Takes 'Symbolic' Pay Cut
In lieu of next week's budget, the leader of the Fine Gael party has announced he will take a voluntary pay cut of 5% as an example to public service workers.
The surprise announcement came as leader Enda Kenny unveiled a package of pre-Budget proposals, which he believes would save the taxpayer €1.8bn annually.
The measures set out by Fine Gael include a 12 month freeze on pay and increments for those earning more than €50,000 in the public sector, 5,000 voluntary redundancies from within the civil service, a proposed fee level for banks using the Government guarantee of €1.5 billion and introducing an earnings cap of €125,000 for pension's relief.
Mr Kenny also urged Finance Minister Brian Lenihan not to increase personal income tax rates in his budget next week.
However, Fine Gael also demanded 5,000 voluntary redundancies in the public service to reduce its overall wage bill.
Pledging to take the 5% pay cut to his own salary, Mr Kenny said: "This is not an instruction to other TDs to do this. As leader of the Fine Gael party, this shows that I'm prepared to do my bit.
"It won't change the ISEQ Index or bring back Lehman Brothers but it's a start. It is a symbolic gesture."
Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton and deputy finance spokesman Kieran O'Donnell also agreed to accept the 5% pay cut and Mr Kenny said that he wrote to the Paymaster General earlier today on the issue.
The proposals also called for the axing of 30 or more 'quango' state agencies currently in existence.
(DW/JM)
The surprise announcement came as leader Enda Kenny unveiled a package of pre-Budget proposals, which he believes would save the taxpayer €1.8bn annually.
The measures set out by Fine Gael include a 12 month freeze on pay and increments for those earning more than €50,000 in the public sector, 5,000 voluntary redundancies from within the civil service, a proposed fee level for banks using the Government guarantee of €1.5 billion and introducing an earnings cap of €125,000 for pension's relief.
Mr Kenny also urged Finance Minister Brian Lenihan not to increase personal income tax rates in his budget next week.
However, Fine Gael also demanded 5,000 voluntary redundancies in the public service to reduce its overall wage bill.
Pledging to take the 5% pay cut to his own salary, Mr Kenny said: "This is not an instruction to other TDs to do this. As leader of the Fine Gael party, this shows that I'm prepared to do my bit.
"It won't change the ISEQ Index or bring back Lehman Brothers but it's a start. It is a symbolic gesture."
Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton and deputy finance spokesman Kieran O'Donnell also agreed to accept the 5% pay cut and Mr Kenny said that he wrote to the Paymaster General earlier today on the issue.
The proposals also called for the axing of 30 or more 'quango' state agencies currently in existence.
(DW/JM)
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