Sir, – While canvassing for the retention of the Seanad in the recent referendum campaign with the Democracy Matters group, I was under the impression Senator David Norris agreed with the proposal in the Quinn/Zappone Bill that senators’ salaries should be reduced to half of a TD’s. It is therefore disappointing to see that he now calls such a proposal “dangerous” (Letters, October 23rd).
While acknowledging the brave and inspiring leadership shown by David Norris in the successful campaign, those of us who went out and fought for the Seanad’s retention did so on the basis of the reforms promised under the Quinn/Zappone Bill, which we had hoped would be the start of a general reform of the entire political system in Ireland.
Contrary to Senator Norris’s opinion, it is not “dangerous” but essential that the salaries of public representatives are halved. Not just in the Seanad, but in the Dáil and local authorities too. – Yours, etc,
HUGH TREACY,
Creagh,
Gorey, Co Wexford.