Stop moaning — Bertie deserves his pay hike

I FEEL compelled to defend the Taoiseach’s pay rise. Contrary to what people might believe, Bertie Ahern is paid very little annually when his salary is compared with that of a top CEO in the US.

For example, in 2005, the CEO of Yahoo, Terry S Semel, earned an estimated $230,554,000.

I think the Taoiseach does a lot more than Mr Semel, but it would take Mr Ahern nearly 100 years to earn what the Yahoo chief earns in one year.

I think running a country is a lot more stressful than running Yahoo.

As for all those who are telling Mr Ahern he should refuse the pay rise, how many of them would turn down a hike on that scale? They just want to moan about the Government.

Aer Lingus got off with little criticism over the Shannon slots, but the Government took the blame. If Michael O’Leary or Dermot Mannion got such a pay rise, no one would care.

Let’s stop whingeing, especially about politicians.

Mark McDonnell

36 Radharac na Coille

Rathcoole

Mallow

Co Cork