Failing to restore pensions is abuse

In reference to your article titled ‘TDs to get two salary rises worth more than €3,600 under new deal’ (Irish Independent, October 2) and also the statement by the Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney a few days later – “Now we’re the fastest growing economy in Europe for the third year running so we’re now putting money aside” – I note the lack of any mention of the restoration to the public service pensioners of their pensions by any Government minister.

We were loaded with the Pension Levy, the USC, and Property Tax in 2011 to help bring about the great recovery Mr Coveney boasts about. Did we get thanked for our sacrifice? No.

Before the TDs get their €3,600 rise and the Government puts any money aside, the pensions of the public service pensioners must be restored to their pre

2011 levels. Many of these pensioners suffer from a wide range of long-term illnesses and need their pensions to help them through.

Any unnecessary further delay in restoring the pensions to their pre 2011 values is a total vindictive abuse of the elderly and should not be allowed to continue. The public service workers of today will be the pensioners of tomorrow and will suffer the same kind of abuse in their old age if they fail to support the public service pensioners of today.

Desmond Nolan Annaghdown, Co Galway