Madam, – In relation to Gerry Moriarty’s article on public service pay and social welfare differentials between the South and Northern Ireland (Opinion, November 23rd), I would ask that he now examine differences in the cost of living between the two jurisdictions.
He could and should include differences in mortgage payments, car insurance, health costs, dental bills and so on, when coming up with an appropriate basis for comparison. Only when these things are taken into account is it in any way fair, judicious, or helpful, to engage in a comparison of public sector pay and social welfare payments. Otherwise you run the risk of simply providing ammunition for those who wish to scapegoat public servants, denigrate social welfare recipients, and demonise trade union members. – Yours, etc,