Taoiseach Enda Kenny goes back on salary cap for minister

lightspeed

http://news.eircom.net/breakingnews/20220212/

Absolutely outraged at the amount of pre election promises that fine Gael have gone back on. I'm not surprised and to be fair it's next to impossible to predict the economy so its next to impossible to predict what areas of government will need to be cut and by how much. However there is no excuse for this latest betrayal in which Enda has decided against the wishes of the minister for finance to go over the salary cap set at €92,000 and given a €35,000 pay rise to minister of jobs Ciaran Conlon who is now on €127,000. How do the magicians of the wealthy in this country defend such actions. How is it that we having rising unemployement and the minister for jobs gets a pay rise ? How is it that we should be expected to accept tax rises and pay cuts because it is neccesary for the good of the country and yet people can't survive on €92,000.
Peace is overrated . I'd rather see dublin became more like Tahir square in Egypt than to continue to accept such continued corruption.
Angela Merkel has got it right when she recently said in regard to the euro that "politics has failed"
It makes me wonder what would it take for all out mayhem with the military getting involved and protestors getting shot dead in the streets of Dublin . It seems an extreme scenario but the euro appears to be about to crash and the Germans are demanding a fiscal union. These are extreme times and it appears the stick of dynamite is getting closer to the point of explosion.

invinciblePRSTV

Anyone surprised that FG wouldn't engage in the same kind of cute hoorism and cronyism which their sister party FF was notorious for whilst in power must be very naive indeed.

Tweedleedee and tweedledum, that's all FG & FF are.

Sir Oxman

Chopper Chopra made him do it! Another L'Oreal moment.
When will these imbeciles ever, ever learn.
All it takes to bring most of the nation with you is transparent fairness and actual leadership.
That's all.
So much change and reform and fairness promised and most of the goodwill gone in a matter of months.

Remember this tonight as our 'leader' tells us to tighten our belts.
What a bloody country.

Manach

This was mentioned in an older thread a few weeks back with FG & Lab ministers breaching the caps for their advisors?

D500B

I really don't think that Enda should be overruling Noonan on these matters. If Enda feels Noonan isn't making the right decisions he should replace him. Otherwise actually listen to your minster for finance.
One thing I miss about Lenihan was when he faced down Cowan and actually managed to put through a public sector pay cut when Cowan had tried to put in place that bizarre "10 days of un paid leave" fudge

Baralis1

I think this news story is unreal. I'm far from an Enda Kenny fan. I saw through all his false promises before the election. Promises that he hadn't a hope of keeping in the current economic climate but made anyway because he would say and do anything to get into power.
I don't agree with the OP that we couldn't predict the economic climate. The country is feiced and massive cuts in every area of expenditure are needed to reduce our massive deficit. Promising not to cut certain things was completely misleading the voters.

This story however has absolutely shocked me. The absolute gall of the man to increase the salary of this special advisor after all he shouted across to Brian Cowan about cutting salaries in the last Dail. The absolute gall. What a complete hypocrite! Words can even describe it. It looks like this man is some sort of a cronie of Enda Kenny to go against all he said before the last election. It also looks like Kenny thinks he's untouchable because of the huge majority the government have. But be warned Kenny, 3 down so far and we haven't even had a budget yet. Are you really going to survive 4 more budgets?

bmaxi

The longer this goes on the more I'm convinced it's going to take blood on the streets to change the attitude of the oligarchy.
How, in all honesty, can Kenny expect his " State of the Nation" address to be taken seriously in light of this? He might as well take a walk around Dublin and kick homeless people in the balls, turf sick people out of their beds and take the bread from hungry children.
No doubt we'll be told "it's not much in the scheme of things", if that's the case why is it a big deal when the same criteria is applied to a SNA or a nurse, then it's unaffordable. Fcuking hypocrites.

anymore

I am still inclined to go some way to make allowances for Fg given the poisoned chalice they and we inherited from the truly most awful Government this country has ever seen. However what credit I was giving Kenny for standing up to the Vatican is being diluted. I am rapidly reversing to my long held opinion that Kenny is an over promoted, particularily sycophantic school teacher - and in this regard i am inclined to apologise to the teaching profession for lumping him in with them.
I still remember the week that Kenny was called a 'traitor' by O Rourke for the ' crime ' of Criticising the then Taoiseach whilst he was out of the country. Within a few days, Kenny was photographed attending an exhibition of paintings by his former rival FF's Pee Flynn.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=65934456
This is just an example of FF like parish pump take care of your own gombeenism. The more timne elapses sine the general election, the more people will ask ' what is the difference between FF and FG ' Well kenny is shouting loud and clear ' Nothing' which is tragic.

jasonc5432

bmaxi wrote: »

No doubt we'll be told "it's not much in the scheme of things"

I personally laugh out loud when I hear this nonsense too

'its not much in the scheme of things'

'It wouldnt plug the hole in our national deficit'

'Its only 40 grand sure'

'Sure he deserves it'

'Leave him alone, communist'

'He is only one person, whereas there are many poor people, so cut them instead'


BLAH BLAH BLAH

Defending the indefensible as always in Irish politics.

If Kenny's own peers and supporters would ACTUALLY stand up for themselves AND this country, they'd tell him this is a nonsense, and it would be reversed.

Of course, this wont happen, as FG are EXACTLY the same as FF, and FG supporters will support Kenny NO MATTER WHAT!

That's why he did it! Because he knows FG voters are all back slappers, just like FF voters.

Follow the leader.

Not ONE FG TD or minister will stand up against this ludicrous breach of government pay cap... not ONE!! I hope they prove me wrong.

However, the following words come to mind when I think of FF and FG:



"Whatever the party holds to be truth, is truth. It is impossible to see reality except by looking through the eyes of the Party."

dlofnep

He simple doesn't get it. The rest of the country is told to tighten our belts, while he engages in cute hoorism, lending a helping hand to 'one of the lads'. Anyone who thought Fine Gael would be any different than Fianna Fáil is deluded.

jasonc5432

dlofnep wrote: »

He simple doesn't get it. The rest of the country is told to tighten our belts, while he engages in cute hoorism, lending a helping hand to 'one of the lads'. Anyone who thought Fine Gael would be any different than Fianna Fáil is deluded.

But surely he is ONLY one person? Surely he deserves it? Surely he probably should have gotten more, and only got a 38% pay increase, which would barely be enough for a new beamer.

Come on lads! Lets all share the pain!
Leave the 'lads' alone.

They're doing the best that they can. Enda is our leader. We cant question him surely?

And, at the end of the day, like all these top job fellas, youll probably find he was 'legally entitled' to this increase.... even though it goes against the government's own salary cap.

But, aside from that, the PR line on these things is 'legal entitlement', so SURELY that applies here.

Communist!

yosemite_sam

A pension for a cabinet minister in the UK is £43,000 a year and they pay tax out of it. I heard this the other day and thought of the clowns here

jasonc5432

yosemite_sam wrote: »

A pension for a cabinet minister in the UK is £43,000 a year and they pay tax out of it. I heard this the other day and thought of the clowns here

Ah yeah, but you seem to forget -- our lads 'deserve' it!!

Look at the smashing job theyre doing!

As someone said recently -- these high wages and pensions are what they all worked so hard for, and who are WE to question them!

So, stick that in your pipe and smoke it, while reading more of your Stalinist doctrine!

Blood on the streets? Tahir square?

Many of you need a severe reality check. I'd love to see you trying to explain your problems to someone in Egypt who can't afford to eat twice a day.



And then to say that our Taoiseach has no concept of reality? pft.

jasonc5432

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

And then to say that our Taoiseach has no concept of reality? pft.

That's it -- UP ENDA -- YUP YA BOY YEH!

As long as the lads are looked after, the rest of ye can all go to Egypt for all FG cares!

Pack of lefties!

jasonc5432

jasonc5432 wrote: »

That's it -- UP ENDA -- YUP YA BOY YEH!

As long as the lads are looked after, the rest of ye can all go to Egypt for all FG cares!

Pack of lefties!

You know, the recession has really taken it's toll on the intellectual nature of these politics forums. Factual analysis? pft. Empty rhetoric? YAY.

jasonc5432

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

You know, the recession has really taken it's toll on the intellectual nature of these politics forums. Factual analysis? pft. Empty rhetoric? YAY.

I agree--

Factual analysis -- Enda Kenny continues cronyist politics in Ireland with 40% pay increase for his mate, one of the lads, breaching the government pay cap for such positions.

Party political rhetoric -- 'he's the taoiseach so go to Egypt and tell them about it if you dont like it!' - Rojomcdojo (paraphrase)

Well said Rojomcdojo

jasonc5432

jasonc5432 wrote: »

I agree--

Factual analysis -- Enda Kenny continues cronyist politics in Ireland with 40% pay increase for his mate, one of the lads, breaching the government pay cap for such positions.

Party political rhetoric -- 'he's the taoiseach so go to Egypt and tell them about it if you dont like it!' - Rojomcdojo (paraphrase)

Well said Rojomcdojo

Well, if that's what you've gathered from my posts then I am just going to have to presume that you simply can't read. Another victim of our education system. Good day, sir.

jasonc5432

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

Well, if that's what you've gathered from my posts then I am just going to have to presume that you simply can't read. Another victim of our education system. Good day, sir.

I agreed with you. Good day to you too sir.

Dont forget to put on the jersey and set the video recorder for Enda's big moment later on!

I'm so excited!

Let's here him tell the lowest earners how they need to tighten their belt --- even though his mates belts are barely able to close because theyre so stuffed with cash!.

Up Enda! Dont mind all them begrudgers! They're only jealous of the wealthy is all!

They think SHARING THE PAIN should happen to EVERYBODY! How misled they are! A load of doom and gloomers who should probably have done what Bertie told them to go and do .. a long time ago.

anymore

Time for Kenny to don the DUNCES CAP

lightspeed

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

Blood on the streets? Tahir square?

Many of you need a severe reality check. I'd love to see you trying to explain your problems to someone in Egypt who can't afford to eat twice a day.



And then to say that our Taoiseach has no concept of reality? pft.

It's early days yet , let's sum things up

1). If im not mistaken Unemployment has risen to 14.5% with 450,000 or more on the dole and the minister for jobs has been given a pay rise
2). Theres a likely probability that the euro currency may collapse and anybody who says otherwise is gambling on the same theory of wishfull thinking fuelled by imagination approach that has Europe in the mess it is in.
3) Enda has broken most of the promises his party made before him and his clown crew got into power
4) with more taxes and Europe already officially entered a recession it is realistically impossible for stability and economic growth to exist, there will be more jobs lost and more welfare costs to come.

In light of the above and considering I appear to have lost my concept of reality can you explain to me what the reality is and please justify a pay rise to the minister for jobs or any other minister for that matter?

If the euro does crash and we enter a depression with politicians getting pay rises like this, Governor Enda Kenny will end up like colonel Gaddaffi.
This idea that because we are so used to peacefully living that there won't be blood is another theory based soley on wishfully thinking.

beeroclock

lightspeed wrote: »

It's early days yet , let's sum things up

1). If im not mistaken Unemployment has risen to 14.5% with 450,000 or more on the dole and the minister for jobs has been given a pay rise
2). Theres a likely probability that the euro currency may collapse and anybody who says otherwise is gambling on the same theory of wishfull thinking fuelled by imagination approach that has Europe in the mess it is in.
3) Enda has broken most of the promises his party made before him and his clown crew got into power
4) with more taxes and Europe already officially entered a recession it is realistically impossible for stability and economic growth to exist, there will be more jobs lost and more welfare costs to come.

In light of the above and considering I appear to have lost my concept of reality can you explain to me what the reality is and please justify a pay rise to the minister for jobs or any other minister for that matter?

If the euro does crash and we enter a depression with politicians getting pay rises like this, Governor Enda Kenny will end up like colonel Gaddaffi.
This idea that because we are so used to peacefully living that there won't be blood is another theory based soley on wishfully thinking.

Those pay rises are well merited I will have you know. Our politicans are doing trojan work in leading us to greener pastures. Their defined sense of leadership, concrete fiscal plans, honesty and integrity in implementing post election promises and clear vision for this country leave with me with the feeling that if anything they are underpaid and overperforming

Good on ya Enda I say

Meanwhile back in the real world..

lightspeed

lightspeed wrote: »

1). If im not mistaken Unemployment has risen to 14.5% with 450,000 or more on the dole and the minister for jobs has been given a pay rise
2). Theres a likely probability that the euro currency may collapse and anybody who says otherwise is gambling on the same theory of wishfull thinking fuelled by imagination approach that has Europe in the mess it is in.
3) Enda has broken most of the promises his party made before him and his clown crew got into power
4) with more taxes and Europe already officially entered a recession it is realistically impossible for stability and economic growth to exist, there will be more jobs lost and more welfare costs to come.

1 - Can you comment on the competency of the current minister? With facts please?

2 - Likely probability? You lose all credibility right here. What does that even mean?

3 - No he hasn't. That's just a lie.

4 - More taxes because the people need to pick up the slack for our lovely public services and welfare systems. We need to pay for the things we want in life. At the moment we cannot and must borrow to make up the shortfall. Hence more taxes.


People need to stop acting like an 8 euro reduction in the dole makes Enda Kenny the second coming of Colonel Gaddaffi. I re-iterate, if you actually believe this then your view of reality is SKEWED horribly.

jasonc5432

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

1 - Can you comment on the competency of the current minister? With facts please?

2 - Likely probability? You lose all credibility right here. What does that even mean?

3 - No he hasn't. That's just a lie.

4 - More taxes because the people need to pick up the slack for our lovely public services and welfare systems. We need to pay for the things we want in life. At the moment we cannot and must borrow to make up the shortfall. Hence more taxes.


People need to stop acting like an 8 euro reduction in the dole makes Enda Kenny the second coming of Colonel Gaddaffi. I re-iterate, if you actually believe this then your view of reality is SKEWED horribly.

Kenny has written personal correspondence to the effect that a member of his advisers should receive a 38% pay increase, putting that mans pay about 40 grand, roughly, above a government pay cap of 92 for such positions.

He then, simultaneously expects us to accept that people out of work as a result of an economic crisis created by people just like the man receiving the 40% payrise, should receive a cut.

Now, YOU believe that this is correct, right, and proper.

I think youll find it is YOU who is out of touch with reality.

To a pretty scary level quite frankly. Id be worried being honest

lightspeed

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

1 - Can you comment on the competency of the current minister? With facts please?

2 - Likely probability? You lose all credibility right here. What does that even mean?

3 - No he hasn't. That's just a lie.

4 - More taxes because the people need to pick up the slack for our lovely public services and welfare systems. We need to pay for the things we want in life. At the moment we cannot and must borrow to make up the shortfall. Hence more taxes.


People need to stop acting like an 8 euro reduction in the dole makes Enda Kenny the second coming of Colonel Gaddaffi. I re-iterate, if you actually believe this then your view of reality is SKEWED horribly.

1) Did I not mention that unemployment has RISEN to 14.5% from 14%, if he so competent to deserve a pay rise given the circumstances then why is unemployment on the rise?
2) well by likely probability I mean the way many people are happy to say there is no way the euro will fail even though Angela merkel is saying it can't survive without a fiscal union which means a treaty change that Ireland for one will NEVER EVER agree to no matter how many referendums we have.

3) well there was the hospital closure in Roscommon that they had promised to save but that does not really matter I suppose all them peasants should just go private.

Theres the cuts to education grants which are likely be cut further in the budget despite election promises made not to do so.

They promised better transparency and to end the cronyism in politics before the election yet 5 out of 6 judges appointed have cosy connections to fine Gael and the minister for transport also made appointments to positions for more cosy friends of fine Gael
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1114/1224307527510.html

Pay caps for politicians don't exist in reality despite election promises



4) that goes without saying that there needs to cutbacks but how do you justify this when there are consultants earning over €300,000 and politicians getting pay rises

In conclusion can you highlight which pre election promises fine gale under enda kennys leadership have kept?

You are awfully optimistic to think that the worst case scenario is an €8 cut in the dole. If the euro collapses and we enter a depression , There will be serious and severe poverty. Compare that to the corruption in the middle east and apart from people chanting "Allah Wah Bah" what's the difference. Why do think the people under such circumstances will not take up arms to execute the corrupt traitors of this country like they did in Libya?
We have large rising unemployment, blatant rising corruption, increasing poverty, taxes and rising crime, A currency that is on the brink of collapse which will lead to a run on the banks where the people are going to take every cent out of the banks until government intervention and violence erupts on the streets, sprinkle decades of corruption on top of that and tell me why a Libya like scenario is not possible ? Why not?

Professor, without knowing precisely what the danger is, would you say it's time for our viewers to crack each other's heads open and feast on the goo inside?

jasonc5432

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

Professor, without knowing precisely what the danger is, would you say it's time for our viewers to crack each other's heads open and feast on the goo inside?

Kent Brockman

Mr Trade In

It just might be that time, however many will find if they do crack open their heads the government has been and gone already as they are empty.

Sir Oxman

Here's a novel idea.
Why not pay this advisor the entry level salary of 80k (or if his friend Kenny insists) the supposed top rate of 92k and in 4 ior 5 years time if he has done his job correctly and there are more people in work and less on the dole as a result of his efforts and advice let's reward him with a nice bonus for a job well done.
If on the other hand he fails, no bonus and no publicly paid job but he's earned a very good and decent salary over those years.

He also gets to have a fuzzy feeling of having helped his country back to recovery whilst maintaining a very decent standard of living for himself.

johngalway

Leo Varadkar was on radio this morning.

€200,000 was the paycap. That has not been breached.

The "rise" was in line with policy that says people coming to work for Government who had previously received higher salaries would basically need to be met somewhere along the pay scale road. Otherwise, why work for Government when one could make more money in the private sector?

On the face of it, it's not a good news story.

Delve deeper, look at the "timing" and it's obvious as to what is it, a story put out TODAY to damage Enda Kenny.

I don't know whether I agree with the payment or not, I think there are more important things going on.

Mr Trade In

No one in opposition would dare call on this government to go as they themselves wouldn't want to take over. The old adage always comes to mind in situations like this, in times of poor prosperity one those in power can dine on fine meat and wine without concern for the cost. Many of us voted these lying rats in on the basis of their many broken promises. In the end they only look out for themselves and their own.