Sir, I refer to the excellent article by Fintan O'Toole (January 4th) entitled "Poverty in the Land of the Emerald Tiger". Mr O'Toole has made some very salient points, particularly in the year of an election.
Poverty is rampant on this tiny island. One million inhabitants (almost one third) of the citizens of this so called "Emerald Tiger" are on the outside, and the gap between the rich and poor is widening. Many people do not see this poverty, it is not visible. They have no knowledge of it and there fore cannot grasp the depth and extent of disadvantage within our society. What are the so called left wing parties" in our Government doing about it.
At a time when we have the most left wing government (admittedly in its final weeks), since the foundation of the State, the number of people living below the poverty line remains the same as it was 10 years ago. Economic power is the most important factor in determining whether you, are likely to experience poverty at all.
Politicians have been elected to bring a sense of order to the lives of the people they represent. We need more sensible discussion of what we appear to be doing with all this wealth we are suddenly creating.
The abolition of poverty find long term unemployment must be high on the agenda and election manifesto of all political parties. It should be at the centre of the election debate. We can and we must demand of the politicians that they fix it.
Again, congratulations to Fintan O'Toole. As always, he has his finger on the pulse of the nation. - Your, etc.,
Glanmire Court, Glanmire,
Co Cork.