Madam, – The €54 billion Nama will pay the banks is difficult to put into perspective, but here is a way of looking at it. It is about five times Nasa’s annual budget, and they intend to explore the solar system, build the International Space Station and conduct advanced aeronautic research into a replacement for the Space Shuttle. We are going to buy some unfinished housing and commercial buildings. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – My only gripe about Dr Maurice Neligan’s excellent contribution to the Nama debate (HEALTHplus, September 22nd) is that it does not appear on Page 1 or, at very least, beside Fintan O’Toole’s equally relevant article on page 14. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The good news and the bad news. The good news: The banks have had a haircut. The bad news: The taxpayer has been scalped.
What else is new? – Yours,etc,
Madam, – The demolition by Fintan O’Toole (Opinion, September 22nd) of the Government’s rationale for including Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide Building Society in the Nama legislation demands a response from Brian Lenihan in the form of major amendments. These two institutions of little systemic importance must be removed and the money saved should be redirected into the recapitalisation of AIB and Bank of Ireland, and a discount, rather than a premium over so-called current market, should be paid for toxic assets in the normal capitalist convention. This is the minimum necessary to protect the public interest. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Would The Irish Timesconsider commissioning a survey to determine how many TDs and Senators believe Dermot Desmond's proposal should be adopted rather than the Nama legislation? It might be an instrument for change. The nation will be all the poorer if Mr Desmond's wisdom is ignored. – Yours, etc,