Letter in today’s Irish Times.
Madam,
Apparently, the Attorney General advised the Government that there were legal difficulties implementing a cessation of ministerial pensions prior to the next Dáil on the grounds of legitimate expectation.
Two matters arise from this: 1. Is there any real threat of a politician suing the state to claim his or her entitlement? 2. Do we the public not have a legitimate expectation that leadership and equanimity be shown? I cannot imagine that the low risk of a sitting politician suing constitutes grounds for not proceeding with the cessation of ministerial pensions.
A cynic such as I might suggest that faced with the prospect of losing pensions, some distinguished Government backbenchers might have retired now to realise their pension entitlements and triggered an uncomfortable amount of byelections for the Government. This is a political ruse dressed up in legalese by the Taoiseach to protect his own hide. – Yours, etc,
ROSS McCARTHY,
St James Avenue,
Clonliffe Road, Dublin 3.
Too true, indeed I may have a legitimate expectation that this Government should commit mass suicide; do us all a favour.
There are always ‘legal difficulties’ that these people hide behind. Mr McCarthy is right – the idea of government hacks sueing their own bosses is so remote as to be capable of ignoring/taking a chance on – after all, the Govt are taking a chance on a lot of bankers, etc. so why not get their finger(s) out and do something daring for once… Is the Attorney General, who gives this advice, one of the affected Ministers? Sounds like it.