I am one who follows practically everything that goes on in Parliament and keeps myself au courant on current affairs. Although I am not a mathematical guru, my arithmetic knowledge is not below the national average. Yet, I’m having serious difficulties to work out the quantum of what the Cabinet members were getting prior to the controversial increase, after the increase and now after the readjustments.

The media ought to realise the average person does not have the time and interest to work out percentages and comparisons with the percentage income of our high civil servants. The voters, which pay for it all through their taxes, have a right to understand the true situation instead of falling in a mesmerising state and are left with no other option than to blindly support their respective party’s notions and interpretations blindly.

Essentially, the public would be served well if clear and succinct answers were given by the media to these three simple questions, namely:

1. What was the Cabinet member’s annual salary, in euros, prior to 2008, after the increase and now with the readjustment?

2. What was the MPs’ hono-rarium up to 2008, after the increase and now with the readjustment?

3. What were the total emoluments of the Cabinet members prior to 2008, after the increase and the second salary and now with the readjustment?