FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheál Martin has told the six members of the cabinet who hope to retain their seats in the general election that if they’re re-elected, they’ll have to give up their ministerial severance payments – one-off payments of almost €90,000 each.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said that ministers had been entitled to the payments since 1992, and that representatives of all parties had benefited from them.

But Fine Gael’s Paschal Donohoe said that if Fianna Fáil was prepared to cut the minimum wage, blind payments, and disability benefits, ministers should be prepared to forego the payments.

Today, Michéal Martin announced that ministers who are re-elected to the Dáil shouldn’t take the payments.

So is this a welcome sacrifice on the part of Fianna Fáil in view of the economic crisis, or is it just cynical electioneering?

Poll Results:

Cynical electioneering (361)

Welcome sacrifice (196)

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Poll: Do you welcome Michéal Martin's decision to force ministers to give up severance payments?

Poll Results:

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.