Public sector benchmarking

Madam, - Turlough O'Sullivan concludes his attack on public sector workers (Opinion & Analysis, January 11th) by suggesting…

Madam, - Turlough O'Sullivan concludes his attack on public sector workers (Opinion & Analysis, January 11th) by suggesting that "the public sector should operate in a more comparable way with their colleagues in the wealth-earning sector" (sic).

Which colleagues did he have in mind: Lawyers? Stockbrokers? Lap-dancers? Undertakers? Lobbyists such as himself? The list could go on.

His snide implication that there is a clear dividing line between those in the private sector who generate wealth and are taxed so that those in the public sector can have cushy, unproductive jobs is a lie, a piece of blatant propaganda in the service of the rich.

Is he implying that Ireland's society and economy could function - and he and the fat cats he represents could make their millions - without the contributions made by health workers, teachers, gardaí, civil servants and all the other people who work for the people, not for profit?

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Coming from the (doubtless very well paid) mouthpiece of the rich, in a country where income inequality has been growing rapidly for the past 20 years, this is an offensive and self-serving distortion of reality.

- Yours, etc,

PATRICK CARRIGAN, Beaubec, Drogheda, Co Louth.