Minister Peter Burke takes Leaders Questions in Dáil

It was a baptism of fire for Longford Westmeath TD Peter Burke as he took the hot seat to answer Leaders' Questions (Chomhairleoirí Ceannaireachta) in the Dáil Éireann today (Thursday, January 15).

Each Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays the Dáil sits the Ceann Comhairle allows each Opposition party leader, or their representative, an opportunity to ask the Taoiseach a brief question about a matter of public importance. If the Taoiseach isn’t available on the day he can ask another member of the Government to answer on his behalf.

Deputy Burke stepped in to field question on a range of issues that dealt with matters like the cost of living crisis, housing and the erosion of the responsibilities of local authorities.

Sinne Fein's Pierce Doherty lead the questions with a particularly sticky issue. The Sinn Féin's Deputy Dáil Leader and Finance spokesperson pointed out that ten sitting government ministers and 17 former minister have not engaged in a repayment plan after they were overpaid following errors around their pension deductions.

Another 24 ministers have either received refunds or have entered into repayment plans. Deputy Doherty lead the leaders questions in which he asked for clarification.

He said that in some of the overpayment cases the State was owed tens of thousands of euros. He asked Minister Burke to name the 10 minister and demanded to know “when are they going to cough up and pay back the money?”

In his reply Minister Burke the matter arose because of an error by the National Shared Services Office and that it relates to a salary sacrifice of 10% Ministers had made. He said engagement between the NSSO and the relevant parties is ongoing .

Among the other issues discussed in the one hour session were the difficulties faced by families because of the cost of living, the delivery of housing, rental support and up coming legislation.