Sinn Féin to review its industrial wage policy
Speaking at a rain-soaked press conference outside Leinster House, Ms McDonald said she is proud of the policy of members donating portions of their €87,258 salaries to the party.
“There is a review including of our practice around the party wage,” she said. “That review is under way and will report back in due course. I am open minded. I am proud of the fact that those of us who are elected, and who stand before you in the rain, are not here on the basis of climate or financial gain.
“It keeps us rooted, it keeps us real. But we live in the real world and these things have to be reviewed. We will decide on it democratically.”
It also emerged that Sinn Féin’s newest senator, Belfast-based councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, intends keeping both of his elected positions, which is a break from the norm. He is also seeking election to the Northern Assembly. Since the abolition of the dual-mandate in the Republic, Oireachtas members are precluded from holding any other elected position at the same time.
Mr Ó Donnghaile confirmed his intentions to keep his East Belfast council seat: “Absolutely, we are an all-Ireland party. The issues for those in East Belfast are the same for those in Ballyfermot.”
Asked about the party’s stance on the dual mandate, Senator Ó Donnghaile said his case is a “unique circumstance” and said legislation allows people to be representatives in both institutions. And questioned about what he would do if he was elected to the Assembly, he replied: “Let’s wait and see”.
Born in east Belfast, Mr Ó Donnghaile was the 56th lord mayor of Belfast.
