What is "public" sector and what is "private" sector? Are AIB and BoI public sector? This discussion is so simplistic as to be meaningless. So I'd just like to offer some observations.
I have worked in both public sector and private sector. When I worked in the public sector in the dark days of the 1980s and 1990s my salary was a pittance beside that of my private sector equivalents - all professionals like me. But I couldn't afford to buy a house - they bought large houses in nice suburbs, I got a 10 year old banger - they had brand new cars. I continued to work at the job because I believed in it.
Working now in the "private" sector I am amazed at the perks that still exist despite the economy.....I never realised the scale of the bonuses available, the share option schemes, the pension contributions, the car allowances, the health subscriptions paid and even the sports club subs - all these regarded as routine in some parts of the private sector. Very nice too.[/QUOTE
Perhaps Brendan " Gimme a few bob for my website Burgess " might consider this before unleashing his next condimnation of the public service,