Sir, - I am writing this to add to the rising plea for the Government to listen to the people.
Since my statement (June 9th) that I am withholding the proportion of my tax due to the Department of Justice and Law Reform because of its announcement of the provision of 700 more prison places, I have had an influx of support - letters, calls, etc. There has been no criticism or controversy aroused. I deduce from this that the country in general agrees that further enlargement of the prison population is unnecessary.
I consider it is not enough to admit that "the people are right", and not follow their wishes. We both vote and pay for our politicians. Is it any surprise that many people are now so disillusioned that they will neither vote nor pay? - Yours, etc.,
Helen Haughton, Hillcrest Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18.