Madam, - Enda Kenny was perfectly correct in asking for the second phase of the benchmarking awards to public servants to be renegotiated.
It was never explained how these increases would be financed. Vague "Bertie-speak" references were made to past and ongoing productivity. Up to September 15th no Government Department had submitted cost-saving proposals.
How can the Taoiseach explain these exorbitant increases to the 600 workers in 3Com, the 1,000 who are losing their jobs each week, and the 95,000 children who are below the poverty line? - Yours, etc.,
DECLAN P. WYNNE, Ashfield View, Drogheda, Co Louth.
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Madam, - Like many hard-working public servants who do their very best on a daily basis in service of this State and its citizens I am in disbelief and shock at the suggestion from an Irish political party to stop benchmarking payments.
Working in the teaching profession at secondary school level, I wish to state categorically and without fear of contradiction that I am privileged to have as colleagues in my workplace a group of dedicated enthusiastic professionals who, along with teachers at all levels throughout the length and breadth of this country, give total effort to care for and educate our excellent young people who are the future leaders of this country.
I firmly believe that even the suggestion of stopping benchmarking is totally out of the question and has led to disillusionment and dissatisfaction among the diligent, efficient public servants of our Republic. - Yours, etc.,
DÓNALL Ó MURCHÚ, Hazelwood, Glanmire, Co Cork