Get our politicians off the gravy train

On the subject of cutbacks that include children’s allowance, social welfare, health services, to name but a few, I think it’s time we looked at that elite and privileged section of society — ie the politicians who are on a different planet to the rest of us when it comes to living standards and who have absolutely no idea what it is like to try and survive from day to day.

They should take a 40% pay cut. At one time Bertie Ahern was getting paid more than the president of the US.

Cut their pensions by 50% — some of our ex-taoisigh are getting a pension of €150,000. Why should they get that amount with the way they left the country?