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Seanad
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Politicians pay and Brexit

Summary

Senator Norris supported Craughwell’s remarks on pay and lack of long-service increments, then turned to Brexit and argued the UK would likely remain in the EU after further turmoil.

David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

I do not stand in any danger of a vote from Senator Feighan, but I am delighted to hear his news and wish him every happiness in the future. With regard to the question raised by Senator Craughwell in respect of politician's pay, I am weary from talking about this issue and am very glad to be joined by him on it because few people are prepared to talk about it. I am in about the only job in Ireland in which there is no long-service increment.

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David P.B. Norris Senator David Norris Independent

This is the only job. After 32 years and umpteen elections, I am on exactly the same pay as somebody who was appointed last week without any election. That is absolutely ridiculous.

I would like to refer to Senator Horkan's comments on Brexit. We are awaiting news of the UK Attorney General's advice. I hope it is explosive. I have been saying since the beginning of this mess that the British would fart around and eventually stay in. That is what is going to happen. All the signs are that, after this catastrophic mess, the British will stay in the European Union. They will have a second referendum. The polls show that the British public is increasingly moving towards staying in. They were sold a pup in the beginning by a collection of liars. The thing is that Britain will be seriously weakened for years to come in Europe, which is a pity. I firmly believe there will be a second referendum, that Britain will stay in, and that will be it. David Cameron, who is a complete nincompoop, should have said in the beginning that the Government took the people's advice, that it knew they were divided equally, and that the UK would stay in as the referendum was not legally binding, end of story. He did not have the guts to do it, however, because all the British politicians at that stage were putting their parties' interests ahead of those of their country. That is the wrong way around. I am a big fan of Jeremy Corbyn but I regret the fact that he is so totally wishy-washy on this issue.

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