THERE WAS a mixed reaction from Fine Gael frontbenchers to party leader Enda Kenny's surprise announcement yesterday that he had instructed the Paymaster General to make a 5 per cent cut in his TD's salary of €106,581 next year.
Out of seven senior figures available for comment last night, only three said they would follow the leader's example.
They are communications spokesman Simon Coveney, Fine Gael leader in the Seanad Frances Fitzgerald, and deputy justice spokesman Senator Eugene Regan.
Justice spokesman Charles Flanagan, education spokesman Brian Hayes and foreign affairs spokesman Billy Timmins all told The Irish Timesthey would not be seeking pay cuts and arts spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell was undecided.
Mr Kenny revealed his self-imposed decrease in salary at a news conference on the budget where he was flanked by finance spokesmen Richard Bruton and Kieran O'Donnell. Though not forewarned of the announcement, both said in response to media questioning that they would seek a similar reduction.
Afterwards Mr Kenny was heard to say to his colleagues: "Sorry to land you in that there."
Asked if he would seek an equivalent cut, Mr Coveney said: "I will. I know Enda is very anxious to give leadership on this." Ms Fitzgerald said: "I will do it. These are unprecedented times." Mr Regan said: "You have to set an example."
Asked if it would be the same amount as Mr Kenny, he replied: "Yes, we're not going to have a bidding war."
However, Mr Flanagan said: "I won't be doing it. As a mere ordinary TD, I'm one of the few people in Leinster House who isn't on an ancillary payment . . ."
Deputy Brian Hayes is not seeking to reduce his salary either: "I have decided that I won't be taking a pay cut. I would be in favour of a public sector pay freeze this year - including TDs."
Deputy Timmins said: "It's the prerogative of any individual to seek a pay cut. It's not an initiative I will be taking up myself."
Deputy Mitchell said: "This is a family matter and I would like to discuss it with my husband before we make a joint decision.
"He's on a private sector pension which is disappearing before our eyes."
A Government spokesman said: "What a person does with his or her salary is a matter for themselves.
