A chara, – Chief Justice Susan Denham warns the Government the quality of judges is threatened due to lower pay which has reduced by “50 per cent for those appointed after 2012” (Home News, February 25th). The pay would have to be lowered by a lot more than 50 per cent for it to be comparable to the salaries of those working in industries such as engineering, science or information technology, which, because of the world we now live in, are arguably more intellectually demanding careers.
It is time we moved on from the Victorian era and stopped assuming that doctors and lawyers should be earning many multiples more than the rest of society. There are very simple things such as increasing competition, increasing college places and most of all, encouraging students to do courses based on their interest (not just what pays best), that would serve us all well. – Is mise,
ALEX STAVELEY,
Beverton Wood,
Donabate, Co Dublin.
Sir, – I refer to your Front page story on judiciary pay cuts (February 25th).
I would like to believe that not all judges are motivated solely by financial considerations and that some of our best judges are happy to serve their country for honourable and patriotic reasons. Would our judicial system not be better off without judges whose criteria for accepting judicial posts are largely pecuniary?
Integrity, principle and common sense are surely more important attributes. And of course political appointments should be a no-no. – Yours, etc,
GEAROID KILGALLEN,
Crosthwaite Park South,
Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
Sir, – Surely there cannot be a better illustration of modern values than the news that the chief justice has warned that the Irish judicial system could be seriously compromised unless judges are paid annually a salary slightly more than half of what Wayne Rooney will be getting a week. – Yours, etc,
DAVE ROBBIE,
Seafield Crescent,
Booterstown, Co Dublin.
Sir, – Would Chief Justice Susan Denham’s great fear, ie, a “second best ” judicial system, be any worse than the one that sent Louise O’Keeffe traipsing around Europe looking for justice, or the one which could not define a constitutional right to provide mercy and understanding for the late Marie Fleming? Such a statement also suggests that other officers of law and order in the State, such as the gardaí, are second best, just because they are paid far less than a High Court judge. It is unfortunate that people feel so defined by their income. – Yours, etc,
EUGENE TANNAM,
Monalea Park,
Firhouse, Dublin 24.