Texts and emails, Monday 26 February 2010
Topic: pensions & perks for public representatives, latest hi-jinks from the tribunals, future of the Labour party - do their policies really stands up?, and should Gardai be allowed to work part-time in security
Panellists: Liz McManus (Labour), Noirín Hegarty (Editor, Sunday Tribune), Sam Smyth (Irish Independent), Maura Adshead (Politics Dept, UL) and Marie Louise O'Donnell (DCU Communications Department).
They were able to rush through legislation to take money from old people in homes (when they die). And legislation to cut social welfare and child allowance. BUT as soon as legislation is mooted re THEIR pensions, they circle the wagons and ''invent'' legal impediments! Patriotic duty me arse!
A.Pleb
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They should pay a benefit in kind on the market value of their pension.
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Vincent its all about the government pension - what about the government wages? It’s a subject that’s gone all very hush hush, media were on top of it before Christmas.
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Hello Vincent. There are councillors getting pensions now because one time they were TDs.
Desmond, Cavan
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Does Máire Geoghegan-Quinn not get the same pension back again when she completes her term of office?
M. Quinn
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I paid into my pension for 30 years. My pension lost 64,000 and now I will get a weekly pension of €62.17 each week.
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The problem is that the country is being run by pensioners.
Ger
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It is an absolute disgrace the way the country is in a mess and the only people that seem to gain from this mess are the people that put us in the mess in the first place.
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Brian Cowen couldn’t put Máire Geoghegan-Quinn under pressure because then he would have to do the same to Bertie.
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30% on average lose their seats in a general election. Ask Norèen would she do their job with no job security.
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Will Bertie Ahern be asked to follow Máire Geoghegan-Quinn’s example and forego his ministerial pension?
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I'm 40, working 20 years. Just been told my pension has no value and trustees closing scheme. My dad worked for 45 years, self-employed pension. Retired last year and pension again worth nothing. We didn't cause this problem yet we suffer and civil servants. Politicians and bankers walk away rich having created the mess. I'm angry.
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It just goes to show how out of touch the current government are. Why are politicians getting a pension for doing a role they have volunteered for? We need a real leader, we need a change in Ireland from the top down. Get real Fianna Fail. We deserve a general election.
Ross, Cork
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Women are also blocked from entering politics by party policies which parachute in well-known personalities over those who are party faithful hard grafters.
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How can the government say that they can't bring in legislation to curb ministers' pensions? They did it overnight with the Finance Bill to cut 30% of public servants pay.
Ben Hays, Limerick
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What about Mary Hanafin’s teaching post?
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Norway Prime Minister drives his own car to work.
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Marie Cassidy state pathologist has to drive herself around the country. Does Liz McManus think its dangerous to do that?
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Vincent, how accurate are the figures in that rich list when it shows that U2 haven’t made any money in the last 10 years, listed, as they are, with the same net worth for each year of the last decade?
Willie Dawson, Galway.
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By all means let ministers have drivers, but let them pay for them out of their own salaries if they want a driver. They earn enough money to pay them.
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Highest period of economic growth in the history of the United States was when the period between 1950-1960 when they had 90% top tax rate.
Alan, Dublin 5
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If everyone earned an equal salary no one would have an incentive to research cures for illnesses or new technology. So inequality is necessary.
Joe, Wexford
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Why does everybody when talking about cut backs say "in these hard times". The salaries and expenses, of TDs and top public sector people are out of order for a long long time, it didn’t start just 2 years ago.
Ted, Cork
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Our government is ridiculously corrupt, that is the bottom line, my son has been diagnosed with severe dyslexia and I’ve been informed that because of cuts he will not get the help he needs, he also needs a circumcision and his appointment to see a surgeon is January 2011, you’re in serious trouble in this country if you don’t have money.
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It's simple, a person who works doesn't get a pension!
Marie Louise Kenny
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I can't understand why the youth of Ireland don't take to the streets everyday until those who have not a milligram of principle or decency resign on the state pension.
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The rich in this country took their opportunities and risks to make money - more luck to them. If Mr Browne had their brains no doubt he would try to join the same rich list MOST OF THE RICH DO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR EXCHEQUER. If they didn’t we would be really in the financial mire.
John, Longford
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