I’ll Gav my €325,000 salary if I win race to the Aras..
tycoon would keep entire wage
PRESIDENTIAL candidate Gavin Duffy has insisted he will take the entire €325,000 salary if he wins the race for the Aras.
Michael D Higgins voluntarily slashed his wage by €75,000 when he was elected in 2011 – but the tycoon said he has no plans to do the same.
He said his decision is justified based on the cost of the presidental bid as an independent candidate which he estimates at close to €1million.
The Dragons’ Den businessman also said he would bring Donald Trump-style negotiations and engage in flying diplomacy for any future Taoiseach.
Mr Duffy said: “I would take the full salary in order to recoup the expenditure required for a campaign.
“I wouldn’t be spending a million, but you would not be far short of it.”
But he said if the Government requested a cut in salary or if Ireland was to suffer recessionary times again, he would reduce his salary.
RULES
Speaking to the Irish Mail on Sunday, he said: “Under SIPO rules, donations are capped at €1,000 for me.
“Michael D, if he runs for Labour, can raise €2,500 – and if he runs for Fine Gael and Labour he might even be entitled to €5,000.”
US President Donald Trump also took part in an entrepreneur-based reality TV show before embarking on his political career, and Mr Duffy spoke of the positive traits displayed by the world’s most powerful man.
He said: “One thing in favour of Trump is that he is a very experienced negotiator. Maybe there is a benefit in that.”
Mr Duffy added while he admires his rival, he will put his own stamp on the office. He said: “I will bring to the Presidency something different, I am offering a choice.”
“I’ve always admired Mr Higgins for his consistent commitment to arts, culture and heritage.
“What I most admired is his sensitive handling of the 2016 Easter Rising Commemorations.”