Should TDs be allowed double-job?

GoldenEarring

Just listening to the leaders' debate on Sky News and Gordon Brown has just said MPs should not be allowed to have another job at the same time as serving in parliament.
I agree wholeheartedly. It's a scandal that politicians can have sidelines. Or maybe it's the TD job that's the sideline!

Liam Byrne

Absolutely no way they should be allowed double-job!

Some of us might have no choice in order to make ends meet, but if you're earning a few hundred thousand you've no need for it, and you should focussed on one job only.

That said, all of the TDs that are teachers, etc, get paid for the 2nd job without even doing it, while ALSO getting paid so-called "pensions" for jobs that they previously did so badly they got fired from them.

Add in Ahern who is double and triple jobbing ON THE DAYS HE'S MEANT TO BE A TD and you've got a sickening level of corruption.

johnnyskeleton

I laughed when I read the title.

Nijmegen

There is a common clause in many employment contracts that bans double jobbing, at the very least without the permission of the employer you have your primary contract with.

It's yet another sweetheart situation that could be simply broken up. The issue is that in Ireland it's the Turkey's who get the only vote on Christmas, the way that we structure ourselves where it comes to pay for public service and politicians. Same goes for things like Dail holidays.

There should be a completely independant body to run these affairs. In all well run PLC's you have one. Why not our country? Particularly if, let's face it, you have a country in which the natural instinct of anyone near a purse string is to grab what they can.

Dannyboy83

The reason they are so overpaid is prevent the need/desire for double jobbing.
A TD should be a busy enough job as is, there shouldn't be any time available for double jobbing.

If they are to be allowed to double job, then their salaries/pensions should be significantly reduced.

dan_d

Simple answer.No.

Nody

I'll go against the stream here and say yes they should BUT they would need to put in at least X hours in the dail and another Y hours in their home area. Also their dail salary should be reduced 75% of the additional benefits (jobs/pensions etc.) that they have so if they earn 100k their dail salary and benfits is reduced by 75k.

The reason would be to ensure competent people who might be able to get a bit wider scope of understanding beyond the lobbying groups they meet in the dail.

Cookie_Monster

thats an interesting way of looking at it Nody

Riskymove

technically they cannot double-job (e.g. doctors or solicitors hand over practice etc; pub owners have a manager to run it etc)

I presume such people still make profits from owning such concerns but they technically dont 'work'

Liam Byrne

Nody wrote: »

The reason would be to ensure competent people who might be able to get a bit wider scope of understanding beyond the lobbying groups they meet in the dail.

I know where you're coming from, but in real life people high-powered and well-paid people are hired based on their PREVIOUS experience and track record, so the problem that you are highlighting is based on our "career politicians" and dynasties.

Sweet Maryland

Hi everyone.

I think that if a TD is running a successful business like a factory or a pub then there is no harm in having double jobs as long as it dosent effect their work being a TD. But really they only have to be in the dail 3 days a week anyway.

Manach

I would say, re:"dail 3 days " that the other two days they should be at attending to their local constituants. However, I would not know how long the average TD works per month and how would a Minister who has an executive function as well find the time for another job.

Liam Byrne

Riskymove wrote: »

technically they cannot double-job (e.g. doctors or solicitors hand over practice etc; pub owners have a manager to run it etc)

I presume such people still make profits from owning such concerns but they technically dont 'work'

So what would you call these :

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2010/0316/1224266352914.html

FORMER TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern almost doubled the number of speaking engagements abroad last year, according to the 2009 Register of Interests for Dáil deputies published last night.

In occupational income, Mr Ahern lists fees from publication of his autobiography, as well as income for his work as a sports columnist with the News of the World, but the register does not state the amount received.

Riskymove

Liam Byrne wrote: »

So what would you call these :

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2010/0316/1224266352914.html

well technically neither are 'jobs' in the traditional sense are they?

i understood that we were talking about people who were doing two jobs, not neccesarily two fulltime jobs but you know what I mean, I think

berties speeches and a few minutes to write (if he actually does it himself) some fluff once a week, while profitable, are not 'jobs' in that way

In any event I think we can all agree that bertie's current situation is a joke and I imagine fairly unique at the moment. He has effectively stood down from his TD role as he is not running again...that sort of situation should not be allowed.