Any justification for the salary for President of Ireland?

dinneenp · 26-09-2017 9:09am #1

Hi,

In the greater scheme of things it's not a large amount but is there any reason to justify the salary the president of Ireland receives- €250,000. That's a guaranteed €1.75m over 7 years and it used to be more before it was reduced.

The Taoiseach gets paid less than the president (€185,350) and his/her role is infinitely more demanding and pressured. I could be wrong but I don't believe it's a particularly demanding role. It's a prestigious, coveted role (even though not many people run for it) so why such a high salary?

On top of the salary there's the pension for life- €125k.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform also confirmed to the Sunday Independent that a past president will receive a pension even if they quit office after just one year. They would get 7.14pc of the full €125,000-a-year pension for every year served.

Thanks,
Pa

jacksie66 · 26-09-2017 9:11am

This post has been deleted.

ELM327 · 26-09-2017 9:13am

Why don't you run for the Aras so, would be terrible to have a hobbit from gringotts running unopposed.

sbsquarepants · 26-09-2017 9:14am

Absolutely not.

Figure head role, does nothing of any real importance - gets paid more than Donald Trump (Ok bad example, but you get the drift!)

It's nothing more than a glorified backhander for one of the boys at the end of their career.

Riskymove · 26-09-2017 9:17am

sbsquarepants wrote: »

It's nothing more than a glorified backhander for one of the boys at the end of their career.

once maybe, but not anymore and not since 1980s really

while you might say that about current President there was plenty of choice at election time for Irish people

The two previous Presidents would in no way fit the "retirement home for politicians" anecdote

Riskymove · 26-09-2017 9:19am

jacksie66 wrote: »

There shouldn't be a president imo. Have either a taoseach or a president, not both.

we need a seperate role as there are functions that the Head of Government shouldn't make on his own. (disolving Dail, signing laws etc)

The UK have a Quenn as Head of State and we have President.

You can argue about salary or wider role but imo, we need a seperate office for such things away from the executive

sbsquarepants · 26-09-2017 9:30am

Riskymove wrote: »

once maybe, but not anymore and not since 1980s really

while you might say that about current President there was plenty of choice at election time for Irish people

The two previous Presidents would in no way fit the "retirement home for politicians" anecdote

Point taken - the 2 Mary's were definitely a breath of fresh air alright.
But that being said what exactly did either of them do to justify 1/4 million salaries? - And lifelong giant pensions to boot!

Peregrinus · 26-09-2017 9:47am

Both the Marys worked incredibly hard, and their staff were run ragged. The presidency is one of those jobs where it's what you make of it; if you want to do as little as possible, you can. But I don't think this means that we should reduce the salary of the post - that would just signal that we intend it for people who will do as little as possible.

I don't think that the salary of the Irish head of state is wildly out of line. He gets less than the President of Austria, but more than the President of Italy (and they are both non-executive presidents). Plus, the President of Italy gets the Quirinal Palace, a country estate and a rather lovely seaside villa with private harbour. The President of Austria gets to live here. The Aras doesn't really compare. So if you look at the entire package rather than the headline salary, the remuneration for the Irish president might be considered appropriately modest.

blanch152 · 26-09-2017 10:42am

It is a difficult one. The President has little to do outside of the representative role (which can be quite demanding but isn't difficult) but where there are decisions to be made, they are of the utmost importance to the State.

Deciding not to dissolve the Dail or referring a piece of legislation to the Supreme Court are extremely important decisions that require a person who understands fully the implications.

It could possibly be set around the salary level of a Minister rather than the 250k.

c_man · 26-09-2017 12:03pm

Any justification for the salary for President of Ireland?

No. Even less so for the wage-cap breaking he's undertaken in regard to his staff, and the "troubles" there.

James Brown · 26-09-2017 1:26pm

This President is a great ambassador for the country. We need a representative not trying to shill for anyone but the country.

johnnyskeleton · 26-09-2017 7:02pm

ELM327 wrote: »

Why don't you run for the Aras so, would be terrible to have a hobbit from gringotts running unopposed.

Mod note:

Please see the charter re: standards of posting in this forum.

Choochtown · 26-09-2017 7:08pm

Matt Barrett wrote: »

This President is a great ambassador for the country. We need a representative not trying to shill for anyone but the country.

Agreed. One of the very few political figures in this country that we can be proud of.
He doesn't strike me as someone who would be overly bothered about the money. I'd imagine he'd still do it for half that amount not that it would make a blind bit of difference to anything.

Choochtown · 26-09-2017 7:26pm

Just to clarify my last post, the following is a true story...

A secondary school near me was looking for a guest speaker for their annual awards night. Sean Gallagher (Dragon's Den regular at the time) was approached. Gallagher's secretary got back to the school with details of his fee and other demands. (Not a criticism, that's his prerogative)

The school in question also contacted Michael D. His ONLY demand was to be picked up at the train station. (Obviously this was before his election to President). He arrived a few hours early and ended up taking an English class in the school (was asked light-heartedly and agreed straight away!) before staying for the awards, giving a speech and meeting and greeting afterwards.

Hours of his time for absolutely no payment.

Sam Russell · 26-09-2017 7:39pm

Michael D is a fantastic President, and is always where he should be and does his role impeccably, whether it is attending All Ireland finals, or opening various fetes. His only fault is his poetry.

I think he would do it for free if he could. Has he not returned his various pensions while he is in the job?

Besides, we have only one President so only one salary, and I doubt his pension as President will cripple the country given his age.

President Higgins, who earns €249,014, has also given his Dáil pensions back to the State.

A spokesman for the president said: “In November 2011 President Michael D Higgins advised the Government of his intention to donate 23.5% of his salary to the State.

“Similarly, the President donates his Oireachtas pension entitlements to the State. During his term in office, President Higgins has not drawn down, and will not draw down any pension entitlements arising from his previous services as member of the Oireachtas or as a Government minister,” the spokesman said.

“That situation has not changed and the President has not sought to change it.”

jimmycrackcorm · 26-09-2017 7:40pm

He needs the big salary to pay the rent on his gaff in the park.

The Rape of Lucretia · 27-09-2017 11:31am

Genuine Irish poet/dreamer leprachauns dont come cheap.

realdanbreen · 27-09-2017 11:36am

sbsquarepants wrote: »

Absolutely not.

Figure head role, does nothing of any real importance - gets paid more than Donald Trump (Ok bad example, but you get the drift!)

It's nothing more than a glorified backhander for one of the boys at the end of their career.

But isn't MDH a regaled champion of the oppressed and a real socialist?
I mean he is so honourable that one of his selling points to get elected was that he would serve only one term. I'm sure that he will at some stage propose to take a cut in the salary he gets, but these things take time you know.

Sam Russell · 27-09-2017 1:11pm

realdanbreen wrote: »

But isn't MDH a regaled champion of the oppressed and a real socialist?
I mean he is so honourable that one of his selling points to get elected was that he would serve only one term. I'm sure that he will at some stage propose to take a cut in the salary he gets, but these things take time you know.

He has already taken a cut in his salary. He will only take a second term if he is elected a second time.

realdanbreen · 27-09-2017 3:27pm

Sam Russell wrote: »

He has already taken a cut in his salary. He will only take a second term if he is elected a second time.

But he said the last time that he would NOT be seeking re election to serve second time! Many who oppose people seeking a second term voted for him on that basis. As for salaries, this guy already has several pensions and has little or no living expenses to pay. Yet he pontificates on all manners of injustice. I mean how greedy do these people need to be?

James Brown · 27-09-2017 4:20pm

He's a great ambassador for the country. I hope he goes for a second.

Sam Russell · 27-09-2017 4:24pm

realdanbreen wrote: »

But he said the last time that he would NOT be seeking re election to serve second time! Many who oppose people seeking a second term voted for him on that basis. As for salaries, this guy already has several pensions and has little or no living expenses to pay. Yet he pontificates on all manners of injustice. I mean how greedy do these people need to be?

He gifted his other pensions to the state for his time in office so he is doing it for half-price.

So if he runs for a second term:

1: He only cost the state 50% of his salary.

2. He will save the state 7 years of his future pension.

What a bargain.

realdanbreen · 27-09-2017 4:29pm

Sam Russell wrote: »

He gifted his other pensions to the state for his time in office so he is doing it for half-price.

So if he runs for a second term:

1: He only cost the state 50% of his salary.

2. He will save the state 7 years of his future pension.

What a bargain.

He did not gift his pensions to the state or to anybody else for that matter.

Sam Russell · 27-09-2017 4:40pm

Well according to the Irish Examiner, he has.

President Higgins, who earns €249,014, has also given his Dáil pensions back to the State.

A spokesman for the president said: “In November 2011 President Michael D Higgins advised the Government of his intention to donate 23.5% of his salary to the State.

“Similarly, the President donates his Oireachtas pension entitlements to the State. During his term in office, President Higgins has not drawn down, and will not draw down any pension entitlements arising from his previous services as member of the Oireachtas or as a Government minister,” the spokesman said.

“That situation has not changed and the President has not sought to change it.”

It has been reported that the State has received more than €1m back from President Higgins’ gifting of salary and pension provisions since he entered the Áras.

Now you can take issue with the Examiner, but please back it up with some evidence.

realdanbreen · 27-09-2017 4:46pm

Sam Russell wrote: »

Well according to the Irish Examiner, he has.

Now you can take issue with the Examiner, but please back it up with some evidence.

My mistake. He will of course take up his various pensions again + his new presidential pension once he has stepped down from his €4788 per WEEK job. Meanwhile he hasn't had a bill to pay for 7 years!.

Sam Russell · 27-09-2017 5:10pm

realdanbreen wrote: »

My mistake. He will of course take up his various pensions again + his new presidential pension once he has stepped down from his €4788 per WEEK job. Meanwhile he hasn't had a bill to pay for 7 years!.

Do you have any evidence for any of that?

Have you asked him if he will regain all his pensions or do you have a link to where he has said any of the things you say he will do?

I am not sure what bills he has to pay. Again any evidence of what bills he does or does not pay?

I think I smell begrudgery.

He is 76 and will be 77 at the end of this presidency. If he goes another 7 years, he will be 84, so any pension he gets will not be for that long compared with the two Marys. Remember, Liam Cosgrave has already had his Taoiseach pension for forty years, while only in office for four years.

Any justification for the salary for President of Ireland?

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