Elderly citizens protesting against cuts in the 2014 Budget.
It has been my experience over the years that much of the trouble politicians find themselves in is caused by officials and consultants who have little or no concept of what the grass root majority is thinking yet insist on putting forward unpopular ideas.
There was a classic example of that last week when Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, had to intervene pretty sharpish to state categorically that the so-called Free Travel Scheme would remain intact and would not be interfered with.
At present, a working group is reviewing the future of the scheme and it emerged that Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann have lobbied for the introduction of restrictions on the travel pass during rush hours and busy periods.
It also emerged that, because funding for the scheme has been frozen for the last five years, some private operators have withdrawn from the scheme.
The Government had also been restricting new companies from joining the scheme but under pressure from the European Commission it has stopped that practice.
First of all, it needs to be pointed out very firmly that pensioners are not receiving ‘free’ travel, they are using ‘pre-paid’ travel.
All their lives, they worked hard and paid taxes that for many years were hugely crippling. Thousands of pensioners also paid in large amounts of money over the years for private pensions that evaporated overnight with no hope of redress.
They have already more than paid for their seats in buses and trains and think-thank professors and review committees would do well to remember that.
It would be political suicide for any minister or any party foolish enough to consider changes to the scheme to the detriment of pensioners.
I would also respectfully suggest to Minister Burton that she puts manners on those in officialdom that propose such measure because even mere talk about it will cause electoral damage.