High time for top earners to lead by example

AS a pensioner I receive a little over €200 per week.

The Taoiseach receives a little over €5,700 per week.

There are many others in this State, like the Taoiseach, who are earning crazy sums of money.

I live within my means on this miserable €200. I shop in Aldi and Lidl and I will only go to Tesco to purchase the bargains. I not only look after myself and run a car, but also feed my two small children as well, and incidentally I do not receive extra for them or children’s allowance.

I am not asking these top earners to come down to my level of remuneration but why can’t Taoiseach Brian Cowen and others – at least during this crisis – give leadership by immediately arranging to have their pay reduced to at least €100,000 per year (€2,000 per week), which is still a good pay package to take home each week.

If I can manage on my small pension to look after myself and two children surely someone on €2,000 per week should still be able to enjoy a comfortable life.

The time has come for top earners to give example.

Listening to these people talking about cutting social welfare and children’s allowances when they are earning the “lotto” each year only adds fuel to this anger.

Leo Armstrong

Prosperous

Naas

Co Kildare