FF backs plan to cut semi-State salaries

A MOTION proposing a budgetary cut in the “astronomical” salaries of high-earners at the top of semi-State companies received widespread support at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting yesterday.

Laois-Offaly TD Seán Fleming said no one whose wages was funded by taxpayers should earn more than €250,000, and called for an immediate reduction in such salaries.

“In view of the cuts to rates of social welfare and the minimum wage, in the interests of fairness and natural justice, there should also be a cut in the ‘maximum wage’,” Mr Fleming said.

Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan, who attended the meeting, was asked to look at the salaries of the “chief executives of various State bodies and semi-State companies, barristers at tribunals and some judges”, Mr Fleming said.

“I said, I don’t want a percentage cut, I want a cash cut now.”

Kildare South Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl said up to 20 TDs and Senators volunteered to speak in support of the motion. Mr Ó Fearghaíl said he agreed something had to be done about “astronomical” salaries in the upcoming budget.

Mr Lenihan said he would look at the issue but did not give any commitments, a number of those present confirmed.

Other TDs who spoke in favour of the motion included Thomas Byrne (Meath East); Bobby Aylward (Carlow/Kilkenny); Timmy Dooley (Clare) and Christy O’Sullivan (Cork South West), as well as Senator Marc MacSharry.

Meanwhile, Government chief whip John Curran said Senator James Carroll proposed a reduction in the rate of VAT relating to “services, labour and equipment to do with energy devices in homes”.

Mr Curran said Mr Lenihan indicated he would look at the proposal in the context of the budget.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen addressed the meeting about the recent Donegal South West byelection, which was won by Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty.

The unsuccessful Fianna Fáil candidate, Senator Brian Ó Dómhnaill, thanked a number of party personnel for their assistance with his campaign.

These included Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, who is a TD for the constituency; MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher, whose election to the European Parliament created a vacancy in the constituency, and Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív, who was Mr Ó Dómhnaill’s director of elections.