How can we justify these allowances?

Michael McGrath TD said he was disappointed that the government is now only able to cut back on €2.5m in allowances paid to civil and public servants.

He argued that some senior civil servants had allowances too that should have been cut.

I agree with him on this point and ask how gardaí, prison officers and fire brigade personnel have over €100 per week for rent and meal allowances. Do they live differently to others? How can these allowances be justified?

Mr McGrath never mentioned that TDs senators councillors, and high ranking civil servants, have huge expense allowances and are far in excess of their expenses.

Even Sinn Féin, who have said they could save €800 on wealth taxes, never mention the excessive allowances of Government officials. The €100 property tax is trivial compared to these public service allowances.

John Rogers

Ballina

Co Mayo