No man is worth more than £1,000

THIS is an open letter to Finance Minister Brian Lenihan:

Dear Minister,

Mr Eamonn De Valera is reputed to have stated some time in 1930’s “No man is worth more than £1,000 per year.”

Statistically, this £1,000 is the equivalent to approximately €72,000 per year in today’s currency. Allowing for differences in the standard of living between the two eras, one might translate the €72,000 into €100,000 in today’s currency.

In other words, no public servant should be paid more than €100,000 per year. When tackling the budget deficit it would be very important that your government would start at the top and work downwards.

It will be very necessary that our leaders will give good example, if they are to get support from the ordinary people.

Golden handshakes, unsustainable pensions, bonuses, unmonitored expense accounts and tax loopholes will have to be target. Extravagant lifestyles must be cut out.

Likewise in the private sector, golden handshakes, unsustainable pensions, bonuses for non-performing business, tax loopholes must closed.

Tax exiles should be put on notice that their Irish passports will be withdrawn unless their tax liabilities are met over a reasonable period. “Tax exile” arrangements must be phased out gradually.

Harry Bell

Kilmallock Road

Charleville

Co Cork