David Norris made the claim as new TDs arrived in Leinster House, saying those they are replacing have “passed out into the desert with a family and no income”.

Despite the fact TDs receive a basic salary of €87,258 a year, plus expenses, the Trinity College senator claimed the money is no reward for a life in politics.

And while the remark will offend thousands of people struggling on the dole and in minimum wage jobs, he said those in low-paid positions “are usually in a secure job” compared to the “highly insecure” TD positions.

“I have to say nothing can reward someone for being in politics, and whatever financial cushion you get, which these days is pretty bloody thin, they’ve earned it.

“Every single person who’s lost their seat, I think they get six months at half pay or something like that. It’s very, very little when after five years you’re passed out into the desert with a family to look after and no income except that.

“So it’s a tough, cruel game, and for the small number of people involved proper compensation should be made available, whatever you think of them,” he said.

Asked how people who are struggling on a minimum wage of annual wage of €17,992 — less than 20% of a TD’s basic salary — will take his opinion, Mr Norris said while he is not dismissing their concerns, people in low paid positions have more “secure” jobs.

“Yes, that is true [that people on the minimum wage are also struggling], but on the other hand people on a minimum wage are usually in a secure job.

“This [politics] is a highly insecure job and a job in which there are considerable restrictions — restrictions on the way you vote, on what you can say.

“Then to be kicked out after that, after a number of years service, that is tough. But I don’t underestimate the strain on people on fixed incomes,” he said.

While TDs’ salaries were cut during the last Dáil and the expenses regime overhauled to ensure only vouched costs can now be claimed, some politicians have repeatedly provoked public anger by alleging the payments do not reflect the level of work involved.

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