Sir, - The trade union leaders who support the Programme For Prosperity & Fairness continue to assert that it will protect workers against inflation and provide a 10 per cent tax cut. The evidence suggests otherwise. The Programme does not guarantee any additional pay increases if inflation continues to soar. All it says is that a review can be requested. Indeed, you quote IBEC's Mr Turlough O'Sullivan (March 3rd) as ruling out any renegotiation of the PPF on the part of the employers. He was speaking after a series of regional meetings at which member-firms expressed concern at the pay rises which had been conceded. This totally contradicts the position stated by ICTU & PSEU re on the review (inflation) clause of the PPF.
Costings done by RTE show that an average 10 per cent tax cut over three years would cost £2.6 billion. Yet only £1.5 billion has been made available. Where is the extra £1.1 billion to come from? - Yours, etc.,
Pat Corcoran, Charles Street, Dublin 2.