Madam, - On hearing Labour TD Joan Burton's comments on Thursday's RTÉ news, I felt offended when she singled out bankers and company directors as those on high wages who need to "take the hit" in hard times. I know from experience that there are plenty of bank employees earning well below the average industrial wage. It is grossly unfair that politicians and the press are blaming bankers and the banks for the country's economic woes.
Economic boom and bust cycles have happened throughout history and are a feature of any free market. They are naturally occurring and cannot be blamed on any one sector of the economy. Comments frequently used about bankers, such as "bespoke suit-wearing" and "greedy", do not help anyone and are just easy ways to point blame. There are plenty of doctors, builders, plumbers, electricians, solicitors and accountants earning more than bankers. Why do members of the Dáil and Seanad not feel it necessary to mention these occupations when talking about wage restraint?
I wonder how many of Ms Burton's constituents are bankers and how many of them might have been offended by her comments. - Yours, etc,
LEWIS KELLY,
Ringsend,
Dublin 4.