A number of TDs say they are prepared to change their work practices to justify their benchmarking pay increases.
While other public servants had to agree productivity deals to qualify for benchmarking TDs and senators are to receive the money without conditions.
A number of deputies contacted by The Irish Times acknowledge there is an anomaly and say they want to address it by reforming the way the Dáil works.
Two deputies were prepared to countenance declining the increase if reforms were not forthcoming.
Progressive Democrats deputy, Ms Fiona O'Malley, who called recently for TDs to justify the increase by agreeing to extended Dáil sittings, is to raise the issue at tomorrow's PD parliamentary party meeting. Asked if she would decline further benchmarking increases in the absence of changes, she said: "I would consider it, to be honest with you.
"My first objective is to pursue reforms, but if they don't happen, I would consider it."
Fine Gael deputy, Mr Billy Timmins, was also prepared to contemplate refusing the increase, but only as part of a party-wide response.
Dáil deputies qualified for a higher-than-average benchmarking increase of 11.7 per cent, because their pay is linked to that of principal officers in the Civil Service.
Having already been paid the first 25 per cent of the benchmarking increase TDs currently receive a salary of €73,914. Long-service increments, paid after seven and 10 years respectively, take the pay of some deputies to €76,272 and €78,627.
In common with principal officers TDs are due a further 50 per cent of the benchmarking increase in January, on top of a basic pay rise of 3 per cent. Unlike the civil servants, however, they have not had to commit to any changes in work practices to qualify for the benchmarking money. Mr Timmins said he was "100 per cent behind" the call by his party leader, Mr Enda Kenny, for the next round of benchmarking increases to be withheld.
"Some people are saying 'Why don't the Fine Gael TDs give back the money?' Well, if there was a mechanism to do so, I would have no problem with that."
A number of other TDs echoed Ms O'Malley's call for reform, if not her willingness to consider refusing the benchmarking increases."I don't think anyone in any activity will turn up their nose at an increase," said the Green Party's Mr Dan Boyle. "You are talking about a profession with an uncertain future."
Mr Boyle said TDs should be made to justify the benchmarking increase, possibly by setting down targets at the beginning of each parliamentary term.
Independent deputy Mr Séamus Healy said the first thing TDs should be asked to do is attend the Dáil. "Anybody who is employed, the first thing they have to do is attend for work. There is no requirement on any TDs or senators to attend."
He would use it to help fund his constituency office, he said.
Mr M.J. Nolan of Fianna Fáil said the Dáil should begin sitting each day at 9 a.m., and rise for August only instead of the current three-month summer break.Returning the increase would be "a publicity stunt" and was "not the road to go down".
Labour's Mr Joe Sherlock said benchmarking should be paid to other public servants, but not to TDs. "If it's paid, so be it, I'll accept it and do with the money as I see fit. "
Independent Mr Niall Blaney said a lot of time was wasted in the Dáil, so more sittings would not necessarily be a good thing. A rural TD had to work behind the scenes to get re-elected, and he had taken just a week's holidays this year. He was not seeking a pay rise, "but like anybody I will take it".
