Madam, – I have had just about enough of the private sector commentators and so-called “financial experts” who are trying to create ill will between civil and public servants and the people they serve. The constant carping about job security and pensions which, it is alleged, are a burden on “the taxpayer”, serves no useful purpose and is totally misleading. Are they implying that teachers, nurses and gardaí do not pay tax? Unlike many people in the private sector, they are PAYE workers and cannot avoid their taxes.
As a teacher, I am well used to the attitude of certain elements of the private sector, who for the last number of years had a fine contempt for those of us who were not “profit-making entrepreneurs”. The Gordon Gekko mentality of greed and vulgarity ruled supreme in Ireland for more than 10 years and those of us who were not members of the financial elite were treated as utter fools when we said a downturn was coming. I clearly recall a speech by the former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, in which he wondered how people who were talking down the economy didn’t “commit suicide”.
Throughout the Celtic Tiger era, Irish society received a superb return on its very low investment in education – the second lowest of all OECD countries. (Since the recent education cuts, we are now probably at the bottom.) Despite this, educational standards were placed among the highest in the OECD. An incredible bargain, which even an economist should be able to understand.
While gardaí continued to put their lives on the line to protect our freedom and nurses performed miracles in AE departments, teachers faithfully honoured their contract with their students, preparing them for life and always making the deadline for State exams. They also regularly gave up their evenings and weekends, for no extra pay, to support students in sporting, musical, scientific, artistic and other activities. It would be interesting to know how many in the private sector are willing to work in the evenings and at weekends for no pay.
The current appeal to patriotism in the civil and public service I find truly nauseating. A patriot is one who works hard and pays his or her taxes. Throughout the years of the Celtic Tiger, there were no greater patriots than those who worked at “the coalface” and tried to hold the social fabric together while some of those entrusted with the management of the nation’s finances lined their pockets and achieved levels of incompetence and corruption that have left our country a wasteland. Not once have I heard an apology from those whose dishonesty and incompetence have bankrupted the country. Ibec’s suggestion that teachers should now take a salary cut in order to pay for this just beggars belief.
In the wake of limitless greed, we now have limitless arrogance. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Recent comments from the social partners indicate that Brian Cowen’s decision to seek consensus on our financial problems may be seriously flawed. Union leaders have said they will accept neither pay cuts nor changes to public service pensions. Employer representatives have called for the sacking of 70,000 public servants and reductions in public service pay and pensions. In other words, the social partners have reverted to type, each suggesting that our problems can be solved by the sacrifice of someone other group in society.
Brian Cowen needs to tell the Irish people in plain language that Ireland could be bankrupt in five years unless we immediately reduce public spending, including pay, to 2004 levels and increase the tax take from everyone above the minimum wage. The country is crying out for is strong leadership and only the Taoiseach can give it. Cometh the hour, cometh the man? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – In this unprecedented financial situation, it is time to insist that any Irish citizens who have removed their wealth to a tax haven abroad in order to avoid paying tax in this State be told to return their wealth, pay the tax or forfeit their Irish passport.
Let’s start at the top before we slash the carer’s allowance. – Yours, etc,