Texts and Emails, Wednesday 31 March 2010
Topic: The Public Sector Pay deal
Panellists: Eoin Ronayne (CPSU), Finbarr Geaney (TUI) and Joe Higgins (Socialist Party)
The financial regulator was so stringent with our credit union in Carlow. Im on the Board. And yet, we all saw that he didnt treat the banks likewise. Why?
Eugene.
***
Watching your programme I'm convinced that E. Gilmore is right, its treason of the highest order. This goverment and their banker and builder friends should all be hung drawn and quartered.
John Donegal
***
Thank God for honest men, and Mr Lucey on your show AND Mr Gilmore in the Dail today, spoke the truth. Where is Michael D to remind us of "gombeen men"?
***
Treason seems to be the epidemic. The Union Leaders are traitors to their members to attempt to sell this deal
***
I am paid under 32k in the public service. I stayed put during the boom years while people i know were naming their wages in the certain private sector jobs. I bought an apartment in 2007 just before the collapse and it now seems i will almost certainly lose it because the government is making me and so many of my low paid public service colleagues pay for the greed and corruption that IS this country today. Do we really deserve this ? I think not. And i will certainly be voting NO to this sell out
***
Vincent I work night duty 12 hours as a midwife do you not think I should be paid extra for these hours I support a disabled husband and two school going children and and a mortgage on my now very reduced salary
***
I have worked unsociable hours in the hotel industry for 11 years at basic rate of pay, no perks whatsoever my wages fell from 18000 a year to 11000. Why aren't the socialist party speaking up for the likes of me?
***
Vincent, As someone who is likely to lose my job next month I would love the option of a pay cut and staying in Ireland
Stephen O'Rahilly
***
Vincent, please ask the panel how monies are going to be gathered in the next budget and further budgets to make up the billions that this government has vowed to give? There will be more to come, maybe property and water taxes, what will the union looking after the low paid public service do then?
***
I agree with joe higgins. Let the banks go to hell. Its about time we stand up. Its is becoming a smokescreen for what happened. We need a campaign to stop this.
Caroline, Laois.
***
I took a 35k drop in pay going from private sector to public six years ago i pay 9k pension contribution and levy for a pension of 17k. If the banks are nationalised, will all bank employees be subject to the same?
***
Higgins is out of touch and is living in the past, we are borrowing 50k a minute to run the public service
Danny, Lusk
***
Tell that TUI guy to get real. I work nine to six every day. Home for a quick dinner and back in for four hours extra time unpaid. I work almost every weekend without pay. My reward is the chance to hold onto my job of fifteen years. Unsociable hours my ass. It's time for survival now, not luxury.
***
Vincent do you think its just that ministers or any member of this goverment is worth the salaries they are taking? These are the cowboys who wrecked this ecomany but aren't paying the price.
Mattie Greville Westmeath
***
Rest assured public servants will not accept this latest deal and bear the brunt of the fallout from the irresponsible actions of the greedy bankers and developers.
Maire
***
Sorry Vincent the public sector is taking a big hit. Why are the banks getting away with lending to their own who will will never pay their loans back? Are you mad? You have never saved a person in your life. My partner is in the fire brigade and has been promoted three times but his salary is going back to two grades back. He feels undervalued and his f amily have served since the fifties
Anne Byrne
***
Vincent i'm a public servant and the teacher unions and cpsu need to get their heads out of the clouds, unskilled workers, clerical workers, or permanent teachers need to get real they're well paid with 2/3 months holidays or earning far more than an unskilled worker in Tesco etc.....
***
I work in the public service. My income is now 18% more than i earned in 1984. I can be let go with 3 weeks notice, and expect to be soon.
Brendan O'Donoghue
***
Surely the time has now come to nationalise AIB and BOI to establish a banking system which serves the economy and society instead of a sticking with a system which is purely profit driven and will by its nature lead to similarly caused crises in the future.
Sean, Dublin
***
Vincent Spare a thought for us public service workers who are earning under 25 k per yr. Mr Higgins has it right. I wish more people would listen to him.
***
I am a public sector worker earning under 30k per year. Please note my position is not permanent. Fed up of listening to how good we supposedly have it.
Katherine from Cork.