And whom am I defending against?
So no public servant has ever flown business class paid for by the state or out of their own pocket? I think we all know that's a long way from the truth.
Regardless, people who work hard for a living are entitled to spend some of that income on a perk such as this now and again, including public servants. Them doing so has no bearing whatsoever on the other issues you mention, or it being right and proper for us all to demand efficiency from that public service.
So no public servant has ever flown business class paid for by the state or out of their own pocket? I think we all know that's a long way from the truth.
Regardless, people who work hard for a living are entitled to spend some of that income on a perk such as this now and again, including public servants. Them doing so has no bearing whatsoever on the other issues you mention, or it being right and proper for us all to demand efficiency from that public service.
Public Servants in the line of duty should not be allowed to travel business class and have their extra fare taken up by the Irish taxpayer
I would venture that the value of the work that the public servant is doing at his/her final destination is typically high relative to the cost of the flight. For example, if a Departmental Secretary is meeting Tim Cook tomorrow in Silicon Valley to discuss ways in which to rescue the ill-fated Apple data centre in Athenry, should we send him/her in Economy so he arrives like a zombie, or should we ensure that he/she has a flat-bed in Business Class so he can operate at close to 100%?
That is really the point.
Business class is not just about having metal knives instead of plastic knives. It is not just about alcohol.
It's about not being squeezed in a tight seat for a long journey.
I wouldn't object to Business Class for senior public servants for long-haul flights. I would object to them though for trips to the UK or Brussels - if there is a business class on those flights anymore.
Brendan
Here I am on this forum regularly defending Public Servants and their wages, pensions and holidays. And whom am I defending against? - People who pay €400 for an upgrade on a one way flight through Aer Lingus, BA and anybody else who is prepared to pamper their luxurious travel wants. I am on a hiding to nothing, perhaps the Public Servant gets defended and what a victory? - The guys I defend the PS against are on flights paying an extra €400 for more space for their tired feet, "free" whiskey and metal cutlery instead of plastic who inform me that we have had too much for too long. And the rest of us are made feel somewhat guilty looking for something that was stolen to be refunded to us. Something wrong somewhere!
1. I have no problem with anybody travelling business class provided they pay the entire fare. I have a problem if it is claimed as a tax avoidance item by anybody.
2. Public Servants in the line of duty should not be allowed to travel business class and have their extra fare taken up by the Irish taxpayer.
3. Sunny's teaching sister is entitled to drive any vehicle she wishes provided she paid for it.
4. Sunny's nurse sister-in-law is entitled to have her holiday anywhere provided she paid for it.
5. I don't know Sunny's next door neighbour. If he has worked up his/her time she is entitled to visit any pub provided he/she paid for the drink. Flexi Time was mainly introduced to get people to work earlier/later helping to alleviate rush-hour traffic.
6. Sunny's point of being "disgusted at each and every one of them for how they spend their money . . ." I have no opinion here, he is entitled to be disgusted if he so wishes.
7. Blackrock's point re what was stolen from Public Servants indicates that he has not been reading my posts or current issues re pay etc in the newspapers. For the record Public Servants/Civil Servants suffered huge loss of basic pay as a result of the last recession. Some had days holidays subtracted for their entitlement. Sick Leave entitlements were halved. Overtime was reduced. Unpaid longer working week was introduced. Pension payments were reduced. Do you want me to go on?
Please note the Public Servants I refer to in my defending posts are those at the lower end of pay. Apologies for not being more clear.
7. Blackrock's point re what was stolen from Public Servants indicates that he has not been reading my posts or current issues re pay etc in the newspapers. For the record Public Servants/Civil Servants suffered huge loss of basic pay as a result of the last recession. Some had days holidays subtracted for their entitlement. Sick Leave entitlements were halved. Overtime was reduced. Unpaid longer working week was introduced. Pension payments were reduced. Do you want me to go on?
No, all that is completely off-topic and of no relevance here whatsoever.
Agreed. I was only answering a question asked by Blackrock1.
I think he was replying to me.You brought it up in the first place!
The upgrade costs £200 for world traveler and we only got it on the way over, not on the way back. We flew out Sunday to minimise the lost working days and had meetings in the following morning. Therefore arriving fresh was important. The return flight arrives in Dublin at around 9 in the morning so we were back in work by Thursday at 10.30 having spend two and a half working days there.Here I am on this forum regularly defending Public Servants and their wages, pensions and holidays. And whom am I defending against? - People who pay €400 for an upgrade on a one way flight through Aer Lingus, BA and anybody else who is prepared to pamper their luxurious travel wants.
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