SURE, SHE STILL has an Aras over her head but President Mary McAleese has volunteered to take a €75,000 pay cut.

The salary of the President of Ireland is €325,000 – although President McAleese had already agreed this year to a 10 per cent cut in line with the economic needs of the country. However, after the revelations in Budget 2011 that public sector salaries would be capped at €250,000, President McAleese told the Government that she would voluntarily reduce her salary in 2011 to that level.

Those currently in high-earning posts were not immediately obliged to have their salaries capped. It had been stated that the cap would apply to the next President elected.

The Taoiseach’s salary has been reduced by €14,000; the Tanaiste’s by €11,000 and Ministerial pensions by €10,000 in today’s Budget. TD and Senator salaries were not touched.

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President offers to take Budget 2011's biggest wage cut

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.