Even in what passes for normal times in Irish politics the payment of almost €90,000 as compensation for loss of ministerial salaries is grotesque in the extreme (Irish Independent)
In these times when the bulk of Irish people are suffering enormous difficulties as a direct result of the incompetence, greed, corruption and arrogance of the body politic such payments verge on the criminal and treasonous.
Here are some reactions from the political creeps who feel they’re worth it.
Fianna Fail leader Michael Martin:
The existing severance payments stand and that’s the way it will be.
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan:
They had been part of the pay arrangement for many years and had been accepted by former ministers of all parties.
Translation: You peasants out there will take any amount of cuts we, the ruling elite, impose on you even if your pay arrangements have been in place for many years and that’s the way it will be.
Green Party leader John Gormley: (Irish Independent).
These are things we aren’t thinking about at the moment. We’re just thinking about the election, but we will see obviously after the election.
Any bets that this alleged man of principle and accountability will loosen his greedy grip on taxpayer’s money? Let’s ask him after the election.
Former Communications Minister Eamon Ryan:
I would have to find out and look at it. Those are details when you’re working flat out in government and now on an election, it wasn’t the first thing on our mind.
Well I don’t think Mr. Ryan will be working flat out in the next government so, like Mr. Gormley, we’ll ask him again after the election.
Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, Mary Hanafin, Eamon O’Cuiv, Brendan Smith and Pat Carey also have their greedy heads in the trough because, apparently, they’re worth it.