Sir, - It was with some disbelief that I read of Ruairi Quinn's concern regarding public service pensions (The Irish Times, October 23rd). When he was Minister for Finance, he failed to give a commitment on parity in public service pensions. The present Taoiseach and Tanaiste promised before the last election that in Government they would restore parity. They must honour this commitment forthwith and ensure that retired public servants get 50 per cent of the going rate of the job from which they retired.
In pleading for parity to be continued, pensioners are not asking for any increases per se in their pensions but for their pensions not to be reduced. The issue of pension parity is vital for those working in, as well as for those who are retired from, the public service. Indeed the future of national wage agreements depends on a satisfactory resolution of this matter. - Yours, etc., Bernadine O'Sullivan,
Terenure,
Dublin 6.