Labour should hang head in shame

As a result of the budget, a 22-year-old graduate on a JobsBridge would have to work for 23 years to earn what Enda Kenny does in a year. The graduate would work for 102 years to make what Richie Boucher (CEO of Bank of Ireland) does in a year.

Yes — because we know that these young people, who were still in their school uniforms when the Fianna Fáil party ended, caused the economic crash.

In 1997, Eamon Gilmore (when campaigning for re-election, of course) said “but economic success alone is not enough. We all need a fair and safe society. We must make sure nobody is left behind.”

Either the price of power was his principles or he never had those principles. For ‘Eamon the Red’, the champagne must be overflowing.

Labour Party TDs and councillors who support this Budget should stoop low with the shame. I won’t say the same of Fine Gael representatives. They are only acting on their beliefs — a vicious brand of fiscal conservatism that protects the wealthy, marginalises the vulnerable and tramples on the poor.

Darren O’Keeffe

Model Farm Rd

Cork