It might be all Greek to us, but facts are facts

Kevin McCarthy’s letter “Reality has yet to kick in for our left-wingers” (Irish Examiner, Aug 6) is incorrect is stating that the Greek government has “rolled over and tamely agreed to implement an €11bn austerity plan”.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the meetings between the Greek government, the IMF and ECB have adjourned and will resume in early September, with both sides agreeing only that “progress has been made”.

Poul Thomsen, the IMF’s mission chief, told reporters: “We made good progress; we are taking a break and will be back early September.” Far from rolling over, Pasok and Democratic Left are insisting that across-the-board reductions on pensions, public-sector salaries and social-welfare benefits be avoided.

A government official confirmed this approach, saying: “There is an attempt for the measures to be fair — no across-the-board cuts that are socially unjust.”

Among issues being considered are increasing the retirement age to 66 and reductions to pensions above a certain level. Compare this approach with what is happening here; the bulk of the burden is being placed on the shoulders of the less-well-off while wealth and high-end incomes remain untouched.

The household charge mentioned in the letter is a crass and grossly unfair imposition on those with little, and shows the complete opposite approach to that of the Greek people.

The letter finishes with a strange question: “Any chance of some cold-light-of-day honest reality from our left-wingers?”

And, by the way, could we please stop cheerleading more unfairness and injustice?

Jim O’Sullivan

Rathedmond

Sligo