Madam, - Parishioners recently refused to bear the cost of compensation for clerical sex abuse in the Derry diocese. Following that example, is there any way for the State's taxpayers to avoid paying for the blunders in the Department of Health?
Of course this is but the latest in a long series of cases requiring massive compensation for State administrative failures. I offer a few suggestions on how that burden should rightfully be borne. As a general principle I look for cost savings in the extravagances of the political and administrative elite.
First would be the abolition of ministerial advisers. They proved themselves utterly useless in the recent case. They serve no purpose that is of benefit to anyone but themselves and their political masters. So let us get rid of them and save their salaries and expenses.
Likewise for all management consultants, PR meisters, communications experts and sundry other gurus, whether on the payroll or on contract. Out with the lot of them and let our Ministers and administrators do the job they are well paid for.
Then I would revoke the guarantee of permanent employment given to managers in the various health boards which are due to be abolished. Such guarantees are not available to others whose taxes fund these grossly inefficient organisations and who in many instances have themselves paid a high personal price in organisational cost-cutting.
Next I would slash all travel budgets in government and the public service. No more "valuable fact-finding missions" to exotic parts of the world at taxpayers' expense. From there it would be a logical step to check out the government jets. Sell some and/or cancel orders. In a similar vein the fleet of ministerial cars should be downgraded, both in numbers and in luxury.
I am sure your readers can easily add to this list and begin fleshing out the details. The aim is to continue until, say, €2 billion has been identified over a period of maybe five years.
There is, of course, a minor problem. To whom do we go with these ideas? Who can give the orders, who can carry them out? Quis custodiet custodes? - Yours, etc.,
MURT Ó SÉAGHDHA, Mount Avenue, Dundalk, Co Louth.