Sir, – The reason for so much public opposition to the overall salary reductions required by the troika is that the crash was caused by property developers, bankers and politicians who have not in any way suffered retribution.
Until this omission is redressed it is unlikely that there will be any support for further austerity. A huge amount of money has been shifted into the banks without any understanding of the pain to the mortgagees caused by irresponsible lending as banks vied with each other to lend more than their competitors.
There must be a comprehensive dilution of debt acquired by ordinary purchasers of houses from 2003-2007 when prices were inflated by the facility of funds for house purchase without any discrimination as to ability to pay.
No improvement in appetite for consumption is likely until the sacred cows of senior bankers’ wages and politicians’ salaries are reduced. – Yours, etc,
WILLIAM KING,
Furryhill,
Rathmore, Naas, Co Kildare.