Son - Not like father

by 221b Fri Jul 18, 2008 22:51

Sinn Féin TD's are paid the normal wage, but take home only the average industrial wage.

by margaret Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:43

TDs also get free parking in Leinster house - a great perk. Which means they are much less likely to use public transport and understand how deficient it is in many areas.

Its interesting to compare the treatment of TDs considerable tax free unvouched expenses with the treatment of the business expenses of the self employed. A self employed person must keep records for 7 years and if requested by the Revenue produce receipts/invoices etc to prove that the expenses claimed against income were in fact made and were necessary to carry out the business. The Revenue can disallow expenditure that was clearly made if they consider it did not wholly and exclusively relate to the running of the business - and it is right that they can do this.

TDs effectively get turning up money allowances on top of their excellent salaries. Pity we ordinary workers dont get turning up money.

A 21 year old who has never worked in the real world elected essentially because mum/dad had the seat and died gets the same pay as a 50 year old with wide working experience and qualifications gained before election to the Dail. Does this make sense?

We have a Minister for Health who has never worked in the real world. She got a Senate nomination at age 22 and she's been in the Dail ever since. She knows that the private sector is always more efficient and she's intent on privatising our public health service.

From where does she get this knowledge?

We are paying her a lot of money for her complete lack of real life experience and blinkered approach to just about any issue you could raise.

by the shadow Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:14

On the question of expenses for TD's I understand that Independent TD's get a leaders allowance, tax free, of approx 38,000 Euro per year. This stems from the time of the 1997 election.
As they are now backbench Government TDS in all but name rather than leaders should they get that allowance? Its one perk they keep very quiet about!
Running with the hare and hunting with the hounds is very lucrative indeed.

by whatmeworry? Sat Jul 26, 2008 09:17

Link below to a handy list if you need to know who really is who. Getting a nomination is the big thing, and it has a lot in common with the old-style hereditary house of lords.