Mattie no rebel on cuts after all

OUTSPOKEN TD Mattie McGrath was revealed to be “the rebel who never was” as his promised principled stand on public sector pay cuts fizzled into Dáil dust.

The Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD had loudly threatened to vote against the Government over the exemption of senior civil servants from the full force of pay cuts, costing the taxpayer €5m a year.

However, when it came to the crunch Dáil showdown, Mr McGrath said he had “failed” in his bid to change policy, and would vote with the Government.