Madam, – As a teacher, I am extremely angry about the cuts to public sector pay in the recent budget. I would concede to an increase in taxation which is equitable and administered to all sections of the labour force including private enterprise and the semi-State sector.
The way in which the public service was singled out for treatment was a politically blunt act carried out for the sake of expediency, not fairness. It amounts to nothing less than bullying of public sector workers and is reminiscent of the blunt way in which the Cumann na nGaedheal government cut wages to teachers, civil servants and Garda Síochána in 1930-31. This government fell, very shortly after that infamous budget and Cumann na nGaedheal’s successor remained out of power for 16 years. I hope the lesson is not lost. – Is mise,
TONY O’LEARY,
Taylor’s Hill, Galway.