Madam, - Paul Kinsella (September 30th) suggests that the public preference for spending cuts rather than tax rises or exchequer borrowing, as demonstrated in the recent Irish Times/TNS mrbi poll reflects an electorate which would rather see overcrowded hospitals, homelessness and gridlock than contribute more to the public purse. Perhaps not.
We have seen how the current administration has performed while Exchequer funds were overflowing and I doubt that I am alone in thinking that many of our difficulties in our country cannot be solved by increased funding without leadership, courage and direction from the highest level.
If our tax contributions were not squandered on follies such as the SSIA scheme, if Government management of our services was consistent and effective and if we had an administration capable of delivering projects such as the Luas on time and on budget, then I would be confident in paying either higher tax rates or supporting more borrowing.
For now, I feel many people are following Mary Harney's advice and choosing to "shop around" - i.e., preferring to spend their money themselves rather than to entrust it to her care and the care of her colleagues. I look forward to a time when I will feel I get value for money for my tax euros, but with the current selection of Ministers at the Cabinet table I will not hold my breath. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL MORIARTY, Clones Road, Monaghan.
Madam, - Paul Kinsella has it wrong: increasing taxes and borrowing levels might damage the economy and increase unemployment. Billions of euro have been flushed down the pan through inefficiencies, maladministration, bad planning and downright corruption. Why should the taxpayer continually foot the bill?
We need root-and-branch reform of the public sector; and we need a taxpayers' association to ensure our money is not frittered away. - Yours, etc.,
EOIN O'LOUGHLIN, Slievemore Road, Dublin 12.