Termination payments

Madam, – I’m grateful to Stephen Collins for drawing attention to the €83,900 Mary Harney will receive by way of termination…

Madam, – I’m grateful to Stephen Collins for drawing attention to the €83,900 Mary Harney will receive by way of termination payments (Home News, January 20th).

Are we to understand that by choosing not to contest an election a TD is financially compensated? That we pay money to the sitting TD we choose not to elect? If that’s the case then this may prove to be a very costly election! In effect we’ll be fined for our choice. – Yours, etc,

ALAN FINNERTY,

Susanville Road,

Dublin 3.