Madam, – I am pleased to see Siptu general secretary Jack O’Connor admit he is well paid (December 2nd). A lot more who were responsible for how this country was carved up during the boom years – before being well and truly mutilated – ought to follow suit.
Indeed, Mr O’Connor referred to taking a 10 per cent pay cut last year. Ten per cent of what, though? I would humbly suggest, in the interests of credibility, transparency and all-round fair play, and as a prelude to any further pontificating on matters of fiscal restraint, pay cuts and levies to be foisted on the lower and middle strata of Irish society, that those in government, the unions and representing the business community first declare their current salary and what pay cuts, if any, they have undertaken. This could be easily facilitated by RTÉ placing a brightly flashing notice with the relevant figures at the bottom of the screen which would remain there until the individual in question had finished their commentary. – Yours, etc,