Sir, - The news in our part of the world is upbeat - at least for the majority. Ireland is rising on a wave of prosperity. Tourism is booming. New hotels are no sooner up than they are bursting at the seams. Property prices have reached dizzy heights. The demand for consumer luxuries has soared. More people are affording holidays. The European Cup, the Olympics, the All Ireland Campaigns, the golf tournaments, promise a feast of excitement just ahead,
What a pity all the boats don't rise with the tide! Concern workers continue to represent the Irish people and Irish caring in many distant lands which don't share the warm glow of economic success. Their woes and miseries are not at present making constant news in an attention grabbing way that tugs all heart strings. There are twice as many extremely poor people reaching out for help as there were when Concern began. They don't need less Irish caring when they don't make the big news!
Two weeks ago a tornado left over 700 dead and 16,500 families homeless in Tangail, Bangladesh. Concern is building homes for 1,629 of the poorest families. Homes cost £193 each! Would this be a good time to invest something in a home in Tangail?
Yours, etc.,
Chief Executive,
Concern,
Camden Street, Dublin 2.