Madam, – I write as one of many State pensioners, with a great deal of anxiety due to a proposed reduction in my pension in the next Budget. I, and most of my fellow- pensioners, contributed over our working lives for this modest pension, unlike politicians who receive exorbitant ones.
Contrary to Government propaganda, the cost of living has not reduced and will increase again with increases in fuel taxes in the next budget.
We also have been told that our pensions are higher than those in the UK but, of course, no mention of the lower cost of living in the UK (as shown by the high number of shoppers who go North weekly). A British MP gets a salary worth €79,000 yearly which is about half of our own TDs’ salaries, despite cuts.
Our politicians claim they had no knowledge of the mismanagement of our economy over the past number of years which, of course, has led to the mess we are in now. Their ignorance suggests that they were not fit to be TDs. They should resign now and forfeit their exorbitant pensions.
I know for certain that we old- age State pensioners will not hesitate to vote when the time comes. – Yours, etc,