Jaysus, Purple, that's pushing it a bit!
I will continue to refer to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions as "Congress" in informal usage, and I am convinced that democracy will not be endangered by that.
There’s an ad in one of the free rags (Herald AM, I think) this morning with a stupid, nonsensical, populist and economically illiterate propaganda ad from the ICTU. In the bottom right hand corner, below the drivel, it says “Congress” in large letters with “Irish congress of trade unions” underneath in much smaller print. Make no mistake; the ICTU is engaged in an aggressive and insidious campaign to brand themselves as “Congress” and blur the line between them and the government and legislature of this country.
Purple, I know you're anti union but that is really going too far. ICTU are an umbrella group for all trade unions in Ireland and the last thing they're trying to do is blur the line between themselves and Govt. 'Congress' is just short cut speak, its not part of some conspiracy theory.
Purple, I know you're anti union but that is really going too far. ICTU are an umbrella group for all trade unions in Ireland and the last thing they're trying to do is blur the line between themselves and Govt. 'Congress' is just short cut speak, its not part of some conspiracy theory.
To be frank, I really don't think you know what you're talking about here. I've been on both sides of the fence, and unvouched fixed rate expenses are a double-edged sword. I've been in situations where I've travelled on a 7 am train, returning at 4.30 pm and I get the princely 5-hour allowance of about €16 for subsistence for the day. I have no real choice other than to take Iarnrod Eireann's pricey €12 brekkie, so I'm left €4 to spend on the trolley service on the return journey without being out of pocket. I have certainly found myself staying in downmarket hotels or B&Bs (which would never have been the case in my private sector days) to stay under the 24-hour allowance of €145 for 24 hours (accomodation and all meals). Indeed, I've lost money on some trips where I've opted to stay in the same hotel as the private sector consultants on the job (being paid out of my budget), as they aren't operating in the same restrictive environment. Some days I make a few quid on the €40 10-hour allowance, so it all comes out in the wash. However, the unvouched fixed rate allowance eliminates any issues about what is covered, and what is not covered. There is no arguements about the bottle of wine or the glass of beer - it's a fixed rate.You're absolutely correct that FAS at nothing to do with unvouched expenses. That was just incredible arrogance from one area of the public sector. However, can you honestly justify an unvouched expense policy. I don't know anyone for example in the private sector who get's a lunch allowance if they are off site. Many private sector companies won't even allow lunch as a vouched expense on the grounds that you'd be eating your lunch if you were in the office anyway
I agree with that. It's the large sums of "walking around money" that I object to.unvouched fixed rate expenses are a double-edged sword. I've been in situations where I've travelled on a 7 am train, returning at 4.30 pm and I get the princely 5-hour allowance of about €16 for subsistence for the day. I have no real choice other than to take Iarnrod Eireann's pricey €12 brekkie, so I'm left €4 to spend on the trolley service on the return journey without being out of pocket. I have certainly found myself staying in downmarket hotels or B&Bs (which would never have been the case in my private sector days) to stay under the 24-hour allowance of €145 for 24 hours (accomodation and all meals). Indeed, I've lost money on some trips where I've opted to stay in the same hotel as the private sector consultants on the job (being paid out of my budget), as they aren't operating in the same restrictive environment. Some days I make a few quid on the €40 10-hour allowance, so it all comes out in the wash. However, the unvouched fixed rate allowance eliminates any issues about what is covered, and what is not covered. There is no arguements about the bottle of wine or the glass of beer - it's a fixed rate.
Sorry I'm confused what do you get the €40 for? Is this in addition to your hotel and meals or am I missing something?. Some days I make a few quid on the €40 10-hour allowance,
Sorry I'm confused what do you get the €40 for? Is this in addition to your hotel and meals or am I missing something?
Why have defence forces otherwise?
Is it not a requirement of UN membership that we have a defence force?
Is it not a requirement of UN membership that we have a defence force?
No - €40 to cover all meals for any absence more than 10 hours and less than 24 hours. If I don't have to buy dinner away, I'll make a few quid on this. If I find myself buying breakfast, lunch and dinner on the road, I'll lose a few quid.Sorry I'm confused what do you get the €40 for? Is this in addition to your hotel and meals or am I missing something?
No - €40 to cover all meals for any absence more than 10 hours and less than 24 hours. If I don't have to buy dinner away, I'll make a few quid on this. If I find myself buying breakfast, lunch and dinner on the road, I'll lose a few quid.
Why are they calling themselves 'Congress' then? - when I first read that term on this thread, I thought it was some government group and was very confused by it.Purple, I know you're anti union but that is really going too far. ICTU are an umbrella group for all trade unions in Ireland and the last thing they're trying to do is blur the line between themselves and Govt. 'Congress' is just short cut speak, its not part of some conspiracy theory.
Why are they calling themselves 'Congress' then? - when I first read that term on this thread, I thought it was some government group and was very confused by it.
ICTU is shorter, and not ambiguous.