Government not leading by example

It has been announced that the upcoming budget will be a really tough one.

The Government could reasonably argue that they have no choice but to impose a tough budget if the deficit is to be reduced, the economy can begin to recover, and the foreigners who effectively rule Ireland are satisfied that Ireland is doing what it is told. However, whilst the Government might have to impose a tough budget that will hurt some of the most vulnerable people in society, surely they do not have to do so whilst also maintaining for Government members what many people believe are very large salaries that the country can’t afford.

It is commonly accepted that the best type of leadership is leadership by example. There is certainly no leadership by example from Government at the moment. If there was, it would ensure that they would suffer significantly from these tough budgets and austerity generally too. They should lead, first of all, by taking a very large cut in their very large salaries and unvouched expenses, (say a maximum salary of €75,000 per annum for Government members and higher civil servants, and all expenses to be vouched for.)