Top dollar did not deliver top quality

ISME chief executive Mark Fielding (March 6) says that “cutting top earners’ salaries could drive them from their jobs”.

He goes on to say if we cut their salaries we’re not going to get the best people for the job.” If you are looking for top quality you are going to have to pay top dollar”.

With all due respect, this is bunkum. All these bankers were being paid top dollar and you can see what we got for that... millions moved from one financial institution to another to make their balance sheets look good. Money lent to speculators and developers who obviously did not have any collateral. The banks who lent to the developers then had a vested interest in getting those houses sold and gave mortgages up to 120% which ended up causing more misery for people.

This is what we got for paying “top dollar” and at the end of the day these people resigned with big pensions and golden handshakes.

This should not have been allowed. They should have been made stay in their jobs and clean up the mess they created instead of putting the burden on tax payers. There are plenty people in these banks who would be well capable of running them. Letters after your name don’t always make you the best person for the job.

Top dollar, how are ya.

Jack O’Loughlin

Kilcoran Park

Youghal

Co Cork