A chara, - Index-linking and parity in the matter of pensions earned by former employees throughout the State, semi-State and private sectors were understood to have achieved the status of inviolable principles. Recent experiences suggest that our former employers have honoured these guarantees more in the breach than the observance.
Examples of this reneging abound. I have been involved personally in negotiations to have grievances addressed for retired members of the Defence Forces and widows of members killed on UN service. Members of similar rank and service are in receipt of different pensions due to a quaint interpretation, if not deliberate discriminatory application of, the Gleeson Report's recommendations.
Officialdom pleads that the correction of these injustices would be an unacceptable drain on public funds. There seems to be no such difficulty when expensive tribunals are set up ad nauseam - all of which have so far, proved fruitless and wasteful exercises. We are to be burdened with two more tribunals for the purpose of investigating alleged chicanery by politicians. A less expensive and certainly more productive method would be to use existing organs of the State i.e. the Garda, Revenue Commissioners, etc. The money thus saved would pay pensioners who have been, and are being victimised.
There was no difficulty in rewarding our former President with a pension of £56,000 a year after six years and nine months of pampered and privileged service. Pensioners remain unamused and bemused! - Is mise,
From Kevin HanleyBeech Park, Athlone.