Sir, - As an old age pensioner I have been awarded an extra £10 per week in the recent Budget, provided I live another three months. However as I will be paying 20 per cent tax on this, it becomes £8 per week. I have been billed for £150 pounds per annum to have my bin emptied, so it becomes £5 per week. As I have to pay an extra £120 per annum due to decreased drug allowance, my increase becomes £3 per week.
As Mr McCreavy and his fellow politicians have awarded themselves £10,000 upwards according to seniority, may I wish them a Happy Christmas, free from pangs of concience? - Yours, etc.,
Dermot C. Clarke, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.