Madam, - While Jim Murphy (August 11th) rightly points out that it is daft of Billy Kelleher (August 10th) to compare earlier periods with boom-time Ireland, the Labour Party's record in government is still one worth noting.
The Rainbow Government created 103,000 jobs, with the unemployment rate falling by almost 30 per cent between 1994 and 1997. It also raised the tax-free allowance by 25 per cent and the standard tax band by 21 per cent. On top of this, it achieved the lowest inflation rate in the EU and the first budget surplus since 1972.
In government, Labour also set up the Criminal Assets Bureau, enacted freedom of information legislation (since gutted by Fianna Fáil and the PDs) and abolished third-level fees.
Labour has much of which to be proud. - Yours, etc,
SEAN LYNCH, Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin 1.