Public pay cuts - Where’s the steel?

IT is good that all top-level staff in the civil service who earn more than €200,000 have agreed to accept significant pay cuts. Earlier this week, Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin said he expected this to be replicated across the public service though semi-state bosses may or may not comply.

Most of the 450,000 unemployed people and the hundreds of thousands who have had pay and pension cuts imposed will be impressed by the sentiment but amused by the fact that co-operation is optional. They, not their successors, had to accept pay cuts.

It seems we still have to get to the point where we stop beating around the bushes about these things. Far more clarity is needed on pensions, bonuses and other arrangements too before Mr Howlin’s proposals can be fully welcomed.