Should Mary McAleese take a pay cut?

[junketman]

I think Mary McAleese earns around 1 million euro a year, some of which I hope is taxed. But really in these times, can we afford to pay that to a President whose office is only ceremonial, and to my mind does very little to deserve it. The president of the United States earns only a fraction of this.

Shouldn't President McAleese set an example and voluntarily take a pay cut? After all she claims to be a good nationalist, so isn't now more than ever the time to demonstrate that? President De Valera repeatedly refused pay increases and that was a very honourable thing to do at the time because he felt it was in the national interest.

Surely it is inexcusable that the President who has no real expenses should be earning this vast fortune of our money while there are hiring freezes all across the public sector for want of money.

[Corcaigh33]

Does Uachtarán na h-Éireann ACTUALLY earn a million a year?

[David Cochrane]

I think the Presidents' pay is around €270,000 - certainly not a million.

[Tribunaljunkie]

I think Mary McAleese earns around 1 million euro a year

She doesn't. She earns €270.000

some of which I hope is taxed.

All is taxed.

But really in these times, can we afford to pay that to a President whose office is only ceremonial, and to my mind does very little to deserve it.

Yet we can and yes she does.

The president of the United States earns only a fraction of this.

No he doesn't.

Shouldn't President McAleese set an example and voluntarily take a pay cut?

She cannot. To protect the President from being bullied by the government, the constitution makes it quite clear that the President's salary cannot be cut, either by the government or by her.

After all she claims to be a good nationalist, so isn't now more than ever the time to demonstrate that?

She cannot legally take a pay cut.

President De Valera repeatedly refused pay increases and that was a very honourable thing to do at the time because he felt it was in the national interest.

He didn't.

Surely it is inexcusable that the President who has no real expenses should be earning this vast fortune of our money while there are hiring freezes all across the public sector for want of money.

It is perfectly excusable, if you knew the facts, which you clearly do not.

[Rahood]

Yes the Lady gets paid as Uachtarán na h-Éireann about e2500k a year.

She does more than most of our TD to earn half that.

[Tribunaljunkie]

I think Mary McAleese earns around 1 million euro a year

She doesn't. She earns €270.000

some of which I hope is taxed.

All is taxed.

[quote:1ggvxboh]But really in these times, can we afford to pay that to a President whose office is only ceremonial, and to my mind does very little to deserve it.

Yet we can and yes she does.

The president of the United States earns only a fraction of this.

No he doesn't.

Shouldn't President McAleese set an example and voluntarily take a pay cut?

She cannot. To protect the President from being bullied by the government, the constitution makes it quite clear that the President's salary cannot be cut, either by the government or by her.

After all she claims to be a good nationalist, so isn't now more than ever the time to demonstrate that?

She cannot legally take a pay cut.

President De Valera repeatedly refused pay increases and that was a very honourable thing to do at the time because he felt it was in the national interest.

He didn't. He cut his salary in 1932. He became president in 1959. Presidents of Ireland cannot set their own salary.

Surely it is inexcusable that the President who has no real expenses should be earning this vast fortune of our money while there are hiring freezes all across the public sector for want of money.

It is perfectly excusable, if you knew the facts, which you clearly do not.[/quote:1ggvxboh]

[Supermanpolitician]

Think the president's salary is constitutionally protected along with those of judges.

[odie1kanobe]

President De Valera repeatedly refused pay increases and that was a very honourable thing to do at the time because he felt it was in the national interest.

President De Valera worried himself ill on many occasions about whether he had enough money to pay for the nursing care for his wife.

[Harpo]

President De Valera repeatedly refused pay increases and that was a very honourable thing to do at the time because he felt it was in the national interest.

President De Valera worried himself ill on many occasions about whether he had enough money to pay for the nursing care for his wife.

What?

[twtone]

At current rates of exchange, the President of the US earns about the same as the President of the 26 Counties.

Madness.

Whether you like Bush or loathe him, at least he has a real job, and impacts countless millions of people.

McAleese, on the other hand, is a waster.

I didn't vote for her to be our current president.
Come to think of it, nobody did!