Public service will have to share the pain already felt in private sector

FEARS of racial and xenophobic tensions in the event of an economic downturn have not been realised, thankfully. This is another sign of the maturity shown by the Irish people when faced with a speedy influx of foreign workers unprecedented in any European country.

However, divisions and tensions are developing in Irish society between two local castes, private sector and public sector workers.

The brunt of the economic crisis is being faced in the private sector and is leading to soaring unemployment and pay cuts for many of those keeping their jobs. More than 100,000 job losses have been incurred in the private sector over the past year and that number could be repeated again given the way things are going.