The Irish Congress of Trade Union’s Public Services Committee (PCS) approved the agreement by a margin of almost two thirds.

The PSC represents the majority of public service unions and associations, except Gardai and the defence forces.

Initially, when the deal was first mooted, I was opposed to the deal.

However, with our economy getting progressively worse as the weeks went by I changed my mind and voted for the deal.

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I had a Toyota Avensis a few years back and I always had great time for the brand. I believed the ‘best built cars in the world’ tag.

That was until I had braking problems with the Avensis.

Nine times out of ten everything was fine but it was the one time out of ten when things got a little bit hairy.

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What is it about Irish people and common courtesy?

Over the last while I’ve come to depair of our fair Isle ever becoming a place when people will actually do their jobs properly and return calls promptly.

Today I was promised a call back from the garage where I bought my latest vehicle …. no return call. For the second time.

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That’s why I’ve been so quiet these last few months.

Lots of hustle, bustle and turmoil in this country of ours since then.

Pay cuts (in effect next Thursday), snow, ice, school closures and more.

Lots of fodder that I could have used to write posts about.

But, to be honest ….

I couldn’t be bothered.

Anyways …. a new year …. a new year resolution to become healthier and fitter!

Follow these guys as they operate to transformate!

Now …. I must quicken my step!

An Bord Snip Nua was a group charged with recommending public sector cuts in these ‘economic times’ ….. well …. I’ve seen it all now:

Bail out the banks for billions and make ordinary Joe Soap, Joe Public and everyone else in the public sector pay for it.

Full reports are available through the RTE website … the Dept. of Finance website apparently can’t handle the extra traffic:

• RTE – ‘Bord Snip’ recommends €5.3bn in savings’
• The Full Report
• The Appendices

They sure did hit Education hard …. bastards.

This fair country of ours is fucked.

Where can I emigrate to?

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Feck.

I’m back from the brink. And in striking form!

The Education Minister Batt O’ Keeffe says it would be regrettable to see teachers taking to the streets to protest the Government’s public sector pension levy.

Minister Batt O’Keeffe’s comments follow Friday’s announcement from the three main teachers’ unions that they will be balloting their members on industrial action.

Union representatives have also urged their members to attend an ICTU protest rally which is taking place in Dublin on Saturday.

Minister O’ Keeffe is appealing to teachers to remember that the country is in a difficult and fraught financial state.

If balloted I will be prepared to go on the picket line.

The fat cats at the top, the bankers, the developers, the speculators and their equals creamed it during the Celtic Tiger years.

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