Different rules for the politicians

COVERAGE of teacher-TDs and their double pensions is just another example of one rule for our politicians and a different rule for “ordinary” people.

Back in 2004 there was an outcry from widows when Mary Coughlan took away their existing entitlement to sick pay or unemployment benefit (for which they had paid via PRSI contributions). She justified the cut because of financial difficulties.

Coughlan’s spokesperson was quoted in the media at the time as saying the decision was based on “the general principle common to social security systems that a person is entitled to one maintenance payment at one time.”

Why is the same rationale not being applied to our teacher-TDs?

Renouncing the teaching pension should not be at the discretion of the TD, and usually only when he/she has been shamed into it.

Enid O’Dowd

Ranelagh

Dublin 6