Monthly Archives: August 2016

IRISH TIMES:

Sinn Féin to end ‘industrial wage’ policy for TDs

Party review recommends changing the practice following complaints

Sarah Bardon

Sinn Féin is to end its policy of paying representatives the average industrial wage.

The party has completed a review into the practice and recommended its conclusion.

The Irish Times has learned the internal report outlines a number of reasons for the change in policy including the effect it has on hiring and retaining staff.

Party policy dictates public representatives, including TDs, Senators and MEPs, can only claim the national average industrial wage.

A review of the policy was initiated earlier this year after a number of party members raised concerns about it.

Sinn Féin TDs in the Dublin area in particular are said to have questioned the policy with the ard comhairle due to the rising cost of living in the capital and the cost of childcare.