Time to stand up to faceless public servants

THE fact that civil servants can take days off for obscure reasons and avail of holidays at public expense without having to be accountable contrasts with the way the income of people of social welfare has been cut with one stroke of a pen.

Civil servants seem to be so powerful that the politicians are afraid to stand up to them.

The politicians acted swiftly in cutting social welfare and reducing the incomes of the most deprived in society but they baulk at the very thought of tackling the perks of public servants.

The fact that public and civil servants enjoy secure income and employment must surely place an onus on them to respect public money.

However, they are now insisting on perks like time and days off when the most underprivileged in society are being further reduced to poverty.

Not only is it time for political reform in regards to members of Leinster House, the age-old perks of the faceless public servants must also be examined and in many cases removed or reduced.

Sean O’Neill

Prospect

Limerick