Government should lead by example and cut TD numbers

I was present at a recent meeting at St. Patrick’s, Upton, Co Cork, where we were informed that this institution and others which care for the most vulnerable people in the country are being constantly subjected to cuts on State allowances, and the recent ones make it very difficult to make ends meet.

Our Government should lead by example. The cost of governing our small island of four million-plus people is disgraceful. They pay themselves salaries and pensions, probably the highest in Europe, and yet they cut the allowances of the most vulnerable people to the very minimum.

I suggest the following should be done:

1. Reduce the number of TDs to 100

2. Abolish the Senate

3. Cap the salaries and pensions of ministers and highly paid civil servants.

4. Send no more money to African governments as we are not sure if it all goes to help the poor or to buy tanks or guns.

Charity begins at home.

Earlier this year a liner hit a rock and sank in the Meditteranian. The captain was sacked.

Our liner (Irlanda) sank some years ago but our captains got massive pensions, and more.

Paddy Deasy

Cullen East

Riverstick

Co Cork