Ok, so I guess the salient point is this - why have the judiciary not been subjected to the pension levy?

Well if that reductions is in the pipelines that's a different case, but well with consent and the current climate it maybe be allowed if need be. goodnight.

The Lionbridge contract should have been reduced by 15-20%, if the interpreters are unhappy with the rates they pay then take it up with their employer, 12 to 15 euros an hour doesnt seem like rock bottom wages to me. If they are unhappy with the wage rates they should leave ireland

Judges are in their ivory tower on a different planet. They should volunteer the levy but fat chance of that happening. Too much brandy and cigars to be had

Glenshane asks
Mon Dieu! Les Englais pissez moi off! Oui!

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The Government has consistantly stated that the pension levy is not a pay cut. Therefore it should apply to judges and the President too.

Hahahahah! Nice one!

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Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.
Winston Churchill

It is completely unrealistic to expect all immigrants to have a level of English that would get them through court proceedings without any hiccups, from the moment they arrive.
I consider myself to speak French at a reasonable level, but there's no chance I could get through a court hearing without missing key bits of flowery legal dialect.

It's also worth pointing out that plenty of foreigners in the coutry aren't immigrants. Many of them are tourists, or here on short business trips.

Defendants who don't speak English have a legal right to an interpreter in criminal cases. Just think if you were on trial abroad even for something relatively minor like a traffic offence - believe me, you'd like to have the best interpreter available. Interpreters are also provided for witnesses who don't speak English. Would you like a case to fall because the witness cannot communicate?

About the rates - you have to remember that interpreters are freelance and guess what some are Irish. €18 per hour may sound okay compared to the minimum wage but interpreters have no guarantee of work. They are not entitled to holiday pay or to the dole and they make a very precarious living. They may have a good week here and there but that's amid a lot of bad weeks with maybe no assignments at all.

The key point in the Sunday Times article is that Lionbridge was asked to reduce rates by 8% but that became 28% for the interpreters. That's just Lionbridge shoring up their profits, nothing else. Why should interpreters suffer? They have a very responsible job.