18/02/2009
Pension Levy Proposals Published
Details of the controversial public sector pension levy proposals are to be published after being approved by the cabinet yesterday.
The legislation is expected to result in the imposition of pension levies ranging from 3% to almost 10% on all public-sector workers.
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan defended the controversial levy in the Dáil last night during a debate on a Labour Party motion calling for the measure to be suspended.
Yesterday, Roisin Shortall, Labour's Spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs said the Levy was deeply unfair on low-paid workers.
"The Government has made great play of the fact that 'we are all in this together'. But clearly this is not the case," the TD said.
She added: "Yes, civil and public servants have, in most cases, secure employment. But they have based their mortgages and outgoings on this employment, and security is worthless if the wages don't pay the bills."
Mr Lenihan, however, insisted that the levy was justified because public-sector workers have secure jobs and generous pensions.
The Civil and Public Service Union and the Garda Representative Association are both planning to hold protests outside the Dail today to highlight their anger over the levy.
(DW/BMcC)
The legislation is expected to result in the imposition of pension levies ranging from 3% to almost 10% on all public-sector workers.
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan defended the controversial levy in the Dáil last night during a debate on a Labour Party motion calling for the measure to be suspended.
Yesterday, Roisin Shortall, Labour's Spokesperson on Social and Family Affairs said the Levy was deeply unfair on low-paid workers.
"The Government has made great play of the fact that 'we are all in this together'. But clearly this is not the case," the TD said.
She added: "Yes, civil and public servants have, in most cases, secure employment. But they have based their mortgages and outgoings on this employment, and security is worthless if the wages don't pay the bills."
Mr Lenihan, however, insisted that the levy was justified because public-sector workers have secure jobs and generous pensions.
The Civil and Public Service Union and the Garda Representative Association are both planning to hold protests outside the Dail today to highlight their anger over the levy.
(DW/BMcC)
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19 March 2009
Civil Servants Launch Lunchtime Protest
An estimated 13,000 civil servants are due to mount lunchtime protests at all Government offices today against the pension levy on public sector workers. The action comes less than a month after the 150,000 strong protest in Dublin over the imposition of the controversial levy.
Civil Servants Launch Lunchtime Protest
An estimated 13,000 civil servants are due to mount lunchtime protests at all Government offices today against the pension levy on public sector workers. The action comes less than a month after the 150,000 strong protest in Dublin over the imposition of the controversial levy.
26 February 2009
Pension Levy Passes Through Daíl
The hugely controversial pension levy Bill has been successfully passed in the Daíl and is due to be passed into law next week. The Government easily won the vote on the Bill that was on the end of large scale protests from the workers throughout the country.
Pension Levy Passes Through Daíl
The hugely controversial pension levy Bill has been successfully passed in the Daíl and is due to be passed into law next week. The Government easily won the vote on the Bill that was on the end of large scale protests from the workers throughout the country.
06 February 2009
Members Furious As TUI Discusses Pension Levy
Ireland's top teaching union is meeting today to discuss the proposed cuts in public spending announced this week. The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) is threatening a campaign against the introduction of the pension levy for all public-sector workers, put forward this week by the government.
Members Furious As TUI Discusses Pension Levy
Ireland's top teaching union is meeting today to discuss the proposed cuts in public spending announced this week. The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) is threatening a campaign against the introduction of the pension levy for all public-sector workers, put forward this week by the government.
19 February 2009
Public Servants Union to Hold Vote On Strike
The UNITE trade union will ballot its workers in the public service and the HSE on whether to take industrial action over the controversial pension levy. The union says its members are furious about the blatant unfairness of the levy, which will see between 3% and 10% taken from the salaries of all public and civil servants.
Public Servants Union to Hold Vote On Strike
The UNITE trade union will ballot its workers in the public service and the HSE on whether to take industrial action over the controversial pension levy. The union says its members are furious about the blatant unfairness of the levy, which will see between 3% and 10% taken from the salaries of all public and civil servants.
16 April 2009
Taxing Times In Dáil
As opposition parties united in their objections to the decision to backdate the new income levy rates, the Department of Finance is expected to issue 'clarification' on the issue of newly introduced income levy rates.
Taxing Times In Dáil
As opposition parties united in their objections to the decision to backdate the new income levy rates, the Department of Finance is expected to issue 'clarification' on the issue of newly introduced income levy rates.