Sir, - Mary Ryan (April 25th) is to be applauded for her ability to support contradictory arguments in such an eloquent manner. On the one hand she quite correctly states that consultants operate a closed shop and that this is bad for society. But the reason it is bad is that it creates a false economy whereby a service is able to command fees greater than its intrinsic worth.
So if this is bad, why therefore is it good for Dublin Bus to operate in a false economy whereby it can extract money from the public while offering a sub-standard service and not allowing the public an alternative? Unfortunately the public has voted with its feet by choosing to sit in traffic jams rather than wait for the bus that never comes.
I believe Mary Ryan and I share a desire that people should not be paid unfair amounts of money for their services. However, we differ significantly on the method of rectifying the balance. Mary Ryan's solution is to bring up the pay of the lower paid, whereas my solution is to liberalise all markets. (Why stop at consultants and bus drivers? We should also include chartered accountants, solicitors/barristers, bank directors and property developers, to name but a few - all of whom operate from monopolies or cartels.)
Mary Ryan's approach will make this country uncompetitive, resulting in a diversion of investment to countries with cheaper costs. And may I remind your readers that it is foreign investment that has fuelled the present growth? In time, this will lead us back into a situation akin to the dreadful 1980s when pay rises chased inflation. Liberalisation of markets means that while wages are kept down by competitive forces, you can buy more for your buck. Look at the price of an airline ticket now compared with 15 years ago.
Differentials in pay will always exist and it is right that they should. A cap on earnings will act as a deterrent on people to get ahead, in much the same way as communism most certainly did not work. Why would one study? Why would one work harder if it is not going to lead to a reward?
It is no coincidence that the workers who are most recession-proof (nurses, drivers, teachers, police, firemen) are the ones now screaming loudest for inflated pay rises. Their brethren in SIPTU, who have members in industry, are to be applauded for taking such a level-headed, long-term approach to our current difficulties. - Yours, etc.,
Sean Dowling, Timoleague, Co Cork.