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Ministers fighting prospect of a salary cut

Sources tell the Sunday papers that the government is considering capping public sector pay at around €250,000, as cabinet ministers resist cuts of up to €30,000.

MINISTERS AND SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS face pay cuts of up to €30,000 a year, according to the Sunday Business Post.

The Sunday Times reports that public sector salaries could be capped at between €200,000 and €220,000, while the Sunday Tribune puts that figure at €250,000.

If the salary cap is extended to semi-state companies, it could have repercussions for salaries at the ESB, RTÉ and Coillte, according to the Tribune.

The Sunday Business Post reports that several cabinet ministers oppose proposals to cut their salaries.

The proposals have been discussed by the cabinet and are due to be covered again at a pre-budget meeting tomorrow, as no agreement has been reached, according to the SBP. A decision must be agreed before the Budget is decided by the cabinet on Tuesday.

Two of the three Independent TDs the government relies upon to retain its Dáil majority have already indicated that they may not support the Budget when it comes before the Dáil. Jackie Healy-Rae and Michael Lowry said they would not decide upon the Budget until they read its contents.

However, according to the SBP, Lucinda Creighton has said she will withhold her vote if one of the Independents votes against the Budget. She told the paper she doesn’t believe it would be good for Ireland if this Budget fails.