Poor old Bertie. Hearts bled across the land this week when our unfortunate Taoiseach bemoaned to his Dáil Eireann colleagues that, not only was he much maligned in reporting that suggested he was ‘better off’ than many of his global counterparts, instead he has been denied such simple necessities as “prolonged holidays, yachts and (holiday) homes”.

For someone who had just arrived in Ireland from outer space, it might be easy to interpret the above as something taken entirely out of context. However, to most people’s surprise this week, it most certainly is not.

Mr Ahern’s boldness in rubbishing the media who had the audacity to question a €38,000 pay hike was second to none. One almost had to admire it. Almost.

Were it not for the fact that these are times when young couples’ tenuous grasp on their mortgages become ever more enervated, examples of deficiencies in health funding crop up by the day and strikes loom in various sectors of the economy, talk of yachts and holiday homes would be fine and dandy.

However, holiday homes, yachts and indeed “private jets” are a million miles from the average Irish person’s mind. Again, Mr Ahern has displayed a near unfathomable understanding of where most of his compatriots financially reside.

The comparisons he makes between his own salary and the select few within the private sector who command yearly wages in the region of one million euro are as far off the mark as his comparisons with those envied yacht owners. Mr Ahern’s work as a public (as opposed to private) servant is more than adequately remunerated - it’s almost surprising that a noted socialist would accept so much.

However, maybe we shouldn’t begrudge Bertie his little increase. In the wake of our various tribunals and the increased public spotlight on shady deals in bygone days, perhaps the opportunities for earning a little money on the side are well and truly gone and occasional increases in one’s salary is all modern politicians can look forward to these days.

If that is true, we might look a little more kindly upon his bleatings.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment