A horrible thought - not all old faces for juniors

[Propforward]

I had spent yesterday thinking the reduction in ministers of state would cost us 250K but woke up in the horrors this morning cos i realised it's gonna cost more.

We are told that the ministers of state must get paid 53K as a severence package.

Worst case 1 million
If all of them are forced to resign (which you'll admit looks hooky, why not just privately ask the 5 to step down)- won't all of them be entitled to that cash?
If it is an unavoidable mechanical legal requirement.

Best possible case 400K
At the very least Cowen will probably shuffle his junior deck to regain some support from within. So he may not reinstate say 3 Junior ministers and cost us 150K

Am i being paranoid?

[N17]

I already asked if any of them is re-appointed, do they get the €53k severence and then get their job back and back to plush salary? So they will in effect be getting a gift of the €53k? Is this how it will work?

[Digout]

This would not shock me at all, its a very interesting question.

[David Cochrane]

I had spent yesterday thinking the reduction in ministers of state would cost us 250K but woke up in the horrors this morning cos i realised it's gonna cost more.

We are told that the ministers of state must get paid 53K as a severence package.

Worst case 1 million
If all of them are forced to resign (which you'll admit looks hooky, why not just privately ask the 5 to step down)- won't all of them be entitled to that cash?
If it is an unavoidable mechanical legal requirement.

Best possible case 400K
At the very least Cowen will probably shuffle his junior deck to regain some support from within. So he may not reinstate say 3 Junior ministers and cost us 150K

Am i being paranoid?

Nail on the head. I had the same thought too.

[Digout]

The reason they were all asked to resign was to keep them all on their best behavior after the budget. A sacked junior minister would be annoyed and would have called the budget for what it is and could possibly get some support inside FF, thus taking the government or Cowen out of it.

[TimBuckII]

I secretly hope this is the case. I awaken most days wondering what will it be next. If I don't get my fix I might go mad.

[Propforward]

It looks to me as tho' our government is fastly becoming rogue.

It is clear that they do no longer have a mandate and are looting the public coffers while they can. They public have swung so far from support and for so long that it is clear they do not have enough credibility to continue.

They have taken ridiculous decisions - that will affect generations of Irish people.
We face a crisis potentially worse than the famine.
We have rising debt, poor credit and a shrinking economy. By the time a global recovery comes we will be so far behind the curve.

We have a broken society, an ill-health service, a weak and unmotivated police and justice system, terrible infrastructure and the highest paid politicians in the world.
Can someone not call in europe or the un
(hell where are the A-Team?)

[Thac0man]

I am under the impression that Trevor Sargants makey-uppy Junior minister post is not being axed.

But I agree with the OP. Its a horroble thought. FF and the Greens really have to get a grip. Surely they don't think this is a starter so close to the local elections?

[cavok]

It looks to me as tho' our government is fastly becoming rogue.

It is clear that they do no longer have a mandate and are looting the public coffers while they can. They public have swung so far from support and for so long that it is clear they do not have enough credibility to continue.

They have taken ridiculous decisions - that will affect generations of Irish people.
We face a crisis potentially worse than the famine.
We have rising debt, poor credit and a shrinking economy. By the time a global recovery comes we will be so far behind the curve.

We have a broken society, an ill-health service, a weak and unmotivated police and justice system, terrible infrastructure and the highest paid politicians in the world.
Can someone not call in europe or the un
(hell where are the A-Team?)

good post, join the Terminal Justice Team

PM me

[cavok]

Heres another possible scenario

say, perhaps only 10 of the 20 are reinstated so as to enable pulling 5 fresh faces from the BB to make the new '15'

then 10 'resigners' would 'need to be compensated'

the churn continues...

(is the 53k a once off payment? or PA for gov. duration?)