A Dublin TD is refusing to take a massive 2% pay rise slamming it as "wrong" and suggesting to send the extra money to those working hard on the front line instead.
Dublin Bay South representative Chris Andrews took the same stance when he received a similar pay rise previously making it the second time he has said a big fat no to the huge windfall.
The Sinn Fein TD took to Facebook posting a picture of a letter which confirmed that he had returned the 'Declaration of Gift' worth an eye-watering €8,847 in April.
And he has confirmed to Dublin Live that he will not be pocketing this emolument either which would have seen him bank just under an extra €2,000.
He told his constituents: "This new pay rise, just like the previous pay rise last year, is wrong and unnecessary.
"It is our front line workers that should be getting a pay rise."
He continued: "Like the last pay rise I will not be taking it. I will be gifting this pay rise back."
The letter from April reads: "I, Chris Andrews being a TD for Dublin Bay South hereby gift, under section 483 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, to the Minister of Finance the sum of €8,847.28 being part of my emoluments for the year of assessment 2020, to be applied for any purpose for or towards the cost of which public moneys are provided.
He told Dublin Live that taking the pay rise this time would just be a slap in the face to the ordinary worker.
He said: "I feel there is a lot of people struggling with job losses and cuts.
"Front line workers, home care workers and teachers should be getting the increase, not politicians."
He added: "It's awful to see the distress ordinary workers are under and TDs taking a pay rise would be a slap in the face to them."
