I’d pay people according to how much I’d hate to do their job

GERALDINE KENNEDY - editor of The Irish Times - the chief executive of Irish Ferries and an anonymous postman may not know it, but they have one thing in common.

They’re all overpaid, according to current accusations. Ms Kennedy and the Irish Ferries guy get over €300,000 apiece, although each would no doubt say their basic salary is really piddling, probably down around the €200,000 mark. They would maintain it’s bonuses that bulk up their take-home pay.

The postman (or woman) might furiously say that €85,000 a year isn’t half enough for slogging up muddy boreens, coping with dyspeptic, dentally-unchallenged dogs and wobbling on a bike through the high winds, rain and mushy fallen leaves of autumn. He or she might ask: “If I’m prepared to sacrifice my work/life balance by being rostered all the hours that God sends, what gives anybody the right to query the money I get to take home as a result?”