Sauce for the goose ...

YOUR columnist Fergus Finlay puts forward reasons why the public sector should not face pay cuts (November 17). How does he view benchmarking in the current climate?

During the good times public sector unions argued for wage increases well ahead of inflation so that pay levels would match the private sector at a time when the Government apparently could afford it.

Now that private sector pay is being slashed, the Government cannot afford the wages it is currently paying out and the cost of living is falling.

Are the arguments for equality between public and private sector not convenient any more?

Kieran McCarthy

Auburn Heights

Athlone

Co Westmeath