AA Roadwatch report major traffic jams in Newry as public sector workers go shopping.

[Gimpanzee]

My god, they really are showing two fingers to the government... (still needs to be verified though whether a significant number are PS workers, but it looks that way)

Only two fingers to the government?

what about all the mechanics and shop keepers and hairdressers and the economy in general that we are told will suffer if public servants pay is cut? Well, looks like cutting PS pay wouldn't have quite the effect that they have been trying to make the rest of us believe... And remember folks there's a conspiracy out there to split public and private sector workers, but they're both on the same side!

'Scuse me while I have a little vomit.

[ballot stuffer]

Taxi driver on Joe saying last night was like New Year's Eve in Dublin city centre: one nightclub had to be closed by the Gardai because the queue to get in was so long!

Struggling to make ends meet my a%$e...

Copper faced Jacks was packed to the rafters last night apparently.

I'm told town was as busy as some weekends.

[Baron von Biffo]

Actually the argument now would be that the cuts are neccessary to stop the flow of money out of the country

My god what an own goal!!

You think people are going to the North to buy public services?

[Magror14]

I work in the public service and I spent last week agonising over whether I would pass the picket. I decided not to in solidarity with colleagues. Someone suggested that these people going North are as likely to be parents whose kids are off school. There may be a PS element but don't assume that it is. Also don't forget VAT was increased in the Oct 2008 budget. Not a great move.

I don't think I would support another day of action.

[Baron von Biffo]

I find this hard to reconcile.

If we are to believe the Public sector workers, they are struggling to 'put food on the table' yet they can afford to travel North to buy what is in my opinion non essential foods and in truth LUXURY items of booze, toys, clothes.

Secondly, if people are struggling and living from day to day, how do they amass such lump sums as to bulk buy.

pay the public sector workers northern wages if they like Northern prices so much.

The powers of analysis of some posters here are truly astonishing. You can tell that PS workers only go North to buy luxuries. BTW where do you live that you see clothes as a luxury?

[Baron von Biffo]

yes they don't see the connection between tax take and where their wage is paid from.

less money in the exchequer because of falling VAT receipts(due to northern shopping) strengthens the pressure on government to cut the PS wages.

while we all accept the incompetence of our politicians, I always thought the civil servants were the smart ones.

But we're constantly told here that PS workers don't pay tax so if they shop in Newry it wont make any difference.

[Gimpanzee]

But we're constantly told here that PS workers don't pay tax so if they shop in Newry it wont make any difference.

source?

[selfemployedmar]

Smuggle away at the border the customs and guards are on strike.

More revenue lost... You not think the criminals have figured out how to save on this day.
Less money for Public Sector Pensions I suppose....

[Baron von Biffo]

Only two fingers to the government?

what about all the mechanics and shop keepers and hairdressers and the economy in general that we are told will suffer if public servants pay is cut? Well, looks like cutting PS pay wouldn't have quite the effect that they have been trying to make the rest of us believe... And remember folks there's a conspiracy out there to split public and private sector workers, but they're both on the same side!

'Scuse me while I have a little vomit.

Because it's only PS workers who shop in the North.

[TradCat]

I'm trying to think of comparable self-inflicted PR disasters. Ben Dunne in Florida and the Twink FG Ard Fheis come to mind.