The diversity of operations in the public service is complex and a uniform approach will never work. I have spoken to many public servants in my constituency recently. They are extremely angry that the first €30,000 of their salaries is to be cut by 5%. One girl to whom I spoke, who is earning approximately €30,000, said she has borne her fair share of the burden by paying the pension and income levies. She felt she had accepted these cuts in the national interest and said that, although she did not create the problem, she was paying a very high price.

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