Party leaders are living in a parallel universe

I DON’T think industrial action has anything to offer in the current economic climate, but I can appreciate the anger behind it given some comments by our leaders and would-be leaders recently. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, when asked about his ministerial pension, snapped: “What do you want me to do? Give it back?”

The leader of the Greens, John Gormley, said private sector executives “would have to realise they do not live in a parallel universe.”

Quite, John, but why not apply the same to the Oireachtas?

Then the answer to Mr Kenny’s question would be “no, but if a levy can be placed on the public sector, of which the Oireachtas is part, you are public servants, aren’t you?” Then why not a rule that, in order to qualify for an Oireachtas or ministeral pension, you must have reached the age of 60 and be no longer a member of the Oireachtas.

How much this would save is not the point. It would dampen public anger quite a bit to see you are prepared to share the pain — in practice.

It would also leave you at a considerable advantage over PRSI workers, private and public, who have to wait till age 65 to qualify for a princely e200 a week.

Brendan Casserly

Abbeybridge

Waterfall

Co Cork