Green Party TD Paul Gogarty has welcomed today's announcement by Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny that he is to take a pay cut next year, but said it represented a u-turn on his refusal to support a collective paycut for TDs and Senators on national radio this week.

Deputy Gogarty said: "I very much welcome Enda Kenny's announcement today that he is to take a pay cut next year. This u-turn on his downright refusal on national radio to support a collective pay cut three days ago is a pleasant and unexpected surprise. No doubt he has reflected on the views of the average worker on this matter in the interim period.

"His move follows on foot of my request to the Minister for Finance to consider cutting the salary of all Oireachtas members and senior public service officials by 8 per cent. I am glad that this proposal has generated such debate and indeed the Minister has indicated that he will consider my suggestion in the light of the budgetary process.

"Deputy Kenny's announcement of course pre-empts any deliberations by the Minister. This is unfortunate. A voluntary gesture such as this has already been proven not to work.
"When I called for a pay cut for TDs and Senators in 2003, I was laughed at, ridiculed and insulted by many Oireachtas members, including those in Fine Gael. Deputy Kenny's unilateral gesture may recover some of his credibility, but it will not reflect the collective leadership of the Oireachtas during these difficult economic times.

"I would instead urge Deputy Kenny to issue statements of support to the Minister for Finance to encourage him to introduce a collective pay cut for two years as suggested in my original letter. Knowing that he has the backing of the largest opposition party may well influence the Minister in a positive manner in this regard.
"For my own part, I will not be making any decision on whether to take a personal pay cut until after the budget. It would be unfair and unwelcome to try and pre-empt a leadership decision made in the best interests of the country."
[ENDS]