ICMSA chief criticises politicians’ ‘arrogance’ over pension levy plan

THE Government’s proposed new private sector pensions levy is a thinly-disguised attack on private property and a move which is “probably unconstitutional”, says the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) Jackie Cahill.

Mr Cahill said the reaction of farmers and other self-employed individuals would change very quickly from open- mouthed astonishment to cold fury.

“The sheer arrogance of the best-paid and best- pensioned politicians and civil servants in the world to even propose such a levy is astounding,” said Mr Cahill. “Furthermore, it’s worth remembering that it was the sheer incompetence of these same political and civil service elites in their management of the State’s finances that has already led to the complete collapse in the value of private pension funds.