Referendum on judges' pay

Sir, – In relation to the forthcoming referendum on judges’ pay Mark Curran tells us (October 14th) “it seems obvious that the…

Sir, – In relation to the forthcoming referendum on judges’ pay Mark Curran tells us (October 14th) “it seems obvious that the protestations of the legal community stem from the manner in which judicial pay will be cut” as this somehow or other compromises their feeling of independence from the Government.

One would imagine that receiving substantial increases in pay (with its implications of being bought) from the same Government would compromise that sense of independence even more than that of paycuts.

Yet, when they were awarded substantial pay rises over the past 12 years, there was no outcry from the judges.

We should not be surprised that this was so. – Yours, etc,

PAUL MACCARTHY,

Ballyroan Heights,

Rathfarnham,

Dublin 16.