Government won't rule out another savage attack on public pay

Posted on January 27, 2010 at 04:37 PM

Yesterday's Leaders' Questions in the Dáil saw the Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore question the Tanaiste about whether the Government will pursue a third pay cut from low-paid public servants, the Tanaiste did not give a straight answer and once again Eamon pursued the Tanaiste today to respond to his question.

Citing the example of Mary, a clerical officer in the Department of Education, whose husband has lost his job and jobseeker's benefit has run out, Eamon explained in stark details how the pay cut has hit Mary's family hard.

The family is trying to get by on her €451 weekly wage, had to hand back the keys of their house and are now living in rented accommodation paying rent of €625 a month. As a result of the pension levy and the pay cut imposed in the Budget, Mary's pay has been cut by €77 a week. When you compare the hardships imposed on Mary's family to the 'sweetheart deal', as Eamon described it, between top senior officers in Mary's department who earn six or seven times Mary's income, Eamon asked the Tanaiste if she thought this was fair.

Eamon also spoke of the 'campaign of abuse and vilification of public servants' carried out by the Government to 'soften public opinion and soften public servants' so it could get away with cutting their pay in the December budget.

"Will the Tanaiste give a straight answer to the question of whether it is fair that Mary must accept a pay cut of €77 a week while higher-paid civil servants get a sweetheart deal from the Government," pressed Eamon.

Eamon's contribution is available on the accompanying video and the full debate will be available on the Oireachtas website. As ever we want to know what you think, let us know in the comments section below.

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