A Chara, - The Government led by Bertie Ahern has called on the unions to exercise pay restraint in the new national pay agreements, which are due to start in the new year.
In light of the huge, unwarranted pay increases accepted by government leaders and with the prospect of a downturn in the economy, it reminds one of Charlie Haughey's declaration that people would need to "tighten their belts", whilst he himself indulged in a lavish lifestyle at taxpayers' expense.
Considering Mr Ahern's fawning eulogy at Mr Haughey's grave, it comes as no surprise to see such brass-necked hypocrisy. - Is mise,
ERIC CREAN, Shandon Gardens, Phibsborough, Dublin 7.
Madam, - With increasing disbelief I am witnessing this despicable government's descent from the obscene to the ridiculous.
Finance Minister Brian Cowen (having just accepted a double-digit percentage pay increase) is attempting to send a message to workers that in these times restraint is needed (in words, incidently, reminiscent of the the great charlatan Haughey himself).
Why do I suspect that workers will choose to follow the example of his actions, rather than his words? I foresee a spring of discontent looming. - Yours, etc,
IAN KAVANAGH, Suir Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8.
Madam, - I have finally figured out the relationship between the generous pay of our esteemed leaders and the abysmal nature of public services. Despite protesting his socialist leanings, Bertie has clearly been infected with a laissez-faire attitude to the Irish economy and public life in general.
Having privatised our airline and telecoms industry, and handed our hydrocarbons over to a multi-national corporation, it seems we are unable to provide education for (black) Irish children, provide clean drinking water to the people of the Western seaboard (or indeed sufficient water pressure to extinguish fires in Co Clare), or an adequate fire service on the eastern side of the country.
A cancer service that does not fail its patients escapes us. So too a health service that can provide timely, equitable access for all of this Republic's citizens. An adequate infrastructure, sufficiently policed, seems to be beyond our ken as well. That it might be populated by qualified drivers is also too much to ask.
I cannot recall a clear instance of any of our highly-paid executives accepting responsibility for any of the above. Quite the opposite: they freely admit by their words and (lack of) honourable action that it is not their responsibility.
It is clear, therefore, that our Government leaders are being paid not for what they do, but rather what they do not do. As a free market no doubt results in the fairest outcome for all, in their wisdom they have decided that a rudderless ship will find the soundest route. For this they are paid handsomely. It follows that if they are paid even more, they might do even less.
Given their demonstrable lack of competence in executing their function, this could only be good for the country. Perhaps if we increased their salaries even further they might all go away and allow our benighted republic to evolve into the fairer society that some of us have the temerity to expect. Or perhaps we should all go back to the voting booths and reconsider our approach to public leadership. - Yours, etc,
Dr DAVID ROBINSON, Main Street, Collon, Co Louth.
Madam, - I see the Taoiseach is calling for wage restraint in the next round of national wage agreement talks. This from a man who earns more than his British, French and American counterparts - even before dig-outs are included. It can only be a matter of time before he urges us all to tighten our belts. - Yours, etc,
MARTIN LOUGHNAN, Skerries, Co Dublin.
Madam, - I feel I must write in response to recent letters criticising the increase in pay that the Taoiseach received. Bertie Ahern in his 10 years as Taoiseach has made a huge contribution to the peace process.
That generations to come will never know the depths of sectarian violence which this island experienced down through the years is due in large part to his commitment.
This is a man who, on the day his mother was buried, travelled to Belfast for crucial talks at a critical stage of the peace process. - Yours, etc,
NIAMH MULDOON, Drogheda, Co Louth.
Madam, - I have heard a few tongue-in-cheek stories in my time, but never one so downright odd as that from Tony (not in FF) Allwright. So, as we haven't been invaded on his watch, Bertie & Co should be given their additional rewards.
By that regard the Swiss federal PM should do very well indeed. - Yours, etc,
BRIAN M. LUCEY, Sallins Bridge, Kildare.
Madam, - Doesn't the title of the body which awarded those pay rises for the Taoiseach, his ministers and other public servants - the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector - somewhat beg the question? - Yours, etc,
JENNIFER RYAN, Glebe East, Blessington, Co Wicklow.