Hollande sets fine example for socialists

Your Friday edition (May 18) states that French President Francois Hollande and his government have taken a 30% cut in salary as a gesture of shared sacrifice with the unemployed and citizens suffering under the economic situation in France.

What an example to the rest of the politicians in the EU and more so to our fat cat politicians here in Ireland.

Mr Gilmore, our great socialist leader, was quick to travel to France so as to congratulate his fellow socialists and show solidarity to the cause. I wonder will he be so quick to emulate the massive pay cut that the new French government has just announced?

I also noticed with deep interest that all of the new French ministers have signed a charter of ethics on travel and other ministerial expenses pledging that they will cut these costs on an ongoing basis.

Perhaps Mr Gilmore might consider appointing Minister Quinn as leader of an ‘expert group’ to examine the feasibility of doing the same here — he is an ‘expert’ on travel expenses, after all.

Denis Moloney

Tinkers Hill

Macroom

Co Cork