Madam, – It is refreshing to read Dr Garret FitzGerald (Opinion, June 6th) arguing that we can no longer persist in lavishing State funds for dubious privileges and expensive perks in the public service. He is rather bizarrely more concerned with whether expenses are receipted than whether they were necessary in the first place.
Setting that aside, it is interesting that he identifies mileage rates against train fares for TDs travelling to the Dáil as an example of over-compensation and is aghast that anyone should “profit” from such allowances. Why does he not start closer to home?
How much does it cost the public to provide former heads of State, heads of government and other retired officials with a State car and a Garda driver 365 days a year?
They can use these cars and drivers at their own discretion for themselves and their families, to travel wherever they wish on private or domestic business or merely for pleasure. One can understand that these facilities were introduced at a time when there was much concern that such dignitaries who came from modest backgrounds and were paid very average salaries in the course of their public service, would be seen to be impoverished in their old age to the detriment of the dignity of the emerging State.
Alas, that was also an era before office holders were given six-figure pensions, gargantuan lump sum payments on vacating office and were allowed to work commercially. Far from being retired, many recent office holders enjoy highly remunerated positions in private business and international affairs, within and outside the State.
Is it not time that the great and the good begin to take personal responsibility, provide an example of civic consciousness and rediscover that seemingly forgotten notion of conscience? Dispense with the Garda drivers and let them provide a more appropriate service to the public. Dr FitzGerald, Mr Ahern, Mr Bruton, Ms Robinson . . . and all those others whose State benefits are “secret”. – Yours, etc,