Madam, - The acceptance by Bertie Ahern and his ministerial colleagues of pay rises equivalent to three times the rate of inflation is entirely consistent with the policy of successive Governments. Fianna Fáil-led administrations have implemented a long-term strategy of redistributing wealth. An increasing proportion of the nation's riches have been transferred from low- and middle-income employees to an emerging elite. Escaping from the full rigours of the tax system, this new ascendancy has been the major beneficiary of the Celtic Tiger.
The taxpayer is to fund pay rises so that Ministers can maintain their place amongst this elite. The standards and lifestyle of this privileged group are as far removed from the realities of most Irish citizens as that of an earlier ascendancy, which so many of Fianna Fáil's predecessors fought so hard to bring down.
- Yours, etc,
GORDON DAVIES, Briar Wood, Bray, Co Wicklow.
Madam, - It appears that we, the Irish taxpayers, are responsible for the Taoiseach getting his latest "dig-out". Of course, as with all the other payments, we are not expecting any favours in return - like a decent health service, or a proper public transport, or less crime on our streets.
- Yours, etc,
BRIAN McARDLE, Greenpark, Dublin 12.
Madam, - The pay rise announced for the Taoiseach and his Ministers is merely rubbing salt into the wounds being made by cuts in vital services for ordinary people. The ill are allowed to suffer and die without so much as the bat of an eye. Have we dumped morality and replaced it with the cult of the golden calf?
- Yours, etc,
JIM O'SULLIVAN, Rathedmond, Sligo.
Madam, - How can a prospective salary of €310,000 for the Taoiseach be justified when the UK's prime minister earns only €270,000 and the US president gets €280,000?
Is it any wonder that Ireland is losing its competitiveness and public sector costs are surging when people at the top so blatantly ignore the need for pay restraint?
- Yours, etc,
BRIAN FLANAGAN, Ardmeen Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin.