Transport deal - Sharing pain in a fair way

That the pay of the chief executive of Bus Éireann Martin Nolan is to fall from €189,000 to €184,000 hardly celebrates the idea of social solidarity or that those with the most should pay the most as we try to rebuild this economy.

The reduction, something around 2%, is in stark contrast to reductions imposed right across the workforce and will fuel accusations that the pain is not being shared equally.

Though it is to be welcomed that a deal has been reached to resolve the dispute, the fact remains that Irish bus drivers are amongst the very best paid in the world and, unfortunately, we cannot afford this indulgence anymore. It is equally unfortunate that this situation is repeated right across our public and semi-State sectors.

What is most unfortunate though is that no amount of wishful thinking will change the maths and that sooner or later we will have to live within our means.