A chara, – It is of no consolation whatsoever to voters that a senior minister now concedes his Government mishandled the contentious issue of special advisers’ pay (Mary Minihan, Front page, July 16th), especially when his reservations only materialised on foot of referendum doorstep conversations. In fact, it adds insult to injury when he concludes, the coalition should have “probably set a more realistic level of remuneration”. What level would that be?
Perhaps the pay “cap” set for bankers at a mindboggling €500,000 which really means a remuneration package worth €800,000? Who are these guys kidding? The posts of advisers, special or otherwise, whether in 1973 or now, are just jobs for the boys/girls. It is now simply a perk to be able to hand out well-paid jobs and vie with other ministers over pay.
Advisers are not necessary for any government – coalition or otherwise. Each minister is backed up by a department, headed by highly paid, experienced officials, well capable of giving advice. – Is mise,