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19 judges take voluntary pay cut

John Murray - Arranged voluntary contributions back to State
John Murray - Arranged voluntary contributions back to State

Figures released by the Revenue Commissioners show that 19 of the country's 148 judges have volunteered to take a pay cut.

The payments amount to just over €60,000.

In addition, commitments via standing orders, which amount to €14,500 per month, have been given.

Earlier this year, the judiciary came under criticism when it emerged that it would be excluded on constitutional grounds from the Government’s public service pension levy.

However, some experts argued that the judges could have been included in the levy.

In April, Chief Justice John Murray finalised arrangements with the Revenue Commissioners, whereby judges could make a voluntary contribution from their pay back to the state.

The exact details of the individual payments are to be kept confidential.

The Revenue Commissioners said today that as the payments are voluntary and can be made in respect of varying periods of time, there is no specific dates by which they must be made.

Judges earn between €170,000 and €290,000 per year.