Sir, - Ever since the Celtic Tiger went on the prowl and the Government discovered it had an embarrassment of extra riches in its coffers, I have been waiting for an announcement - to the effect that this bonanza would mean an end to hospital waiting-lists, the provision of freely available shelter for the homeless, the recruitment of remedial teachers for every primary school, the enlightened subsidy of public transport, and so on.
By now, it seems that this type of Christian or humanitarian approach cannot be expected from the present Government.
But where is the Opposition? Why did Fine Gael or the Labour Party not insist that the Government should not buy Farmleigh unless the expenditure was matched £for £with provision for the homeless? I agree wholeheartedly with the questions raised in the letter from Gerry Ryan of the National Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland (June 24th).
Ireland may be rich in material wealth, but it is distressing and demoralising to witness the poverty of spirit evinced by our political leaders. - Yours, etc., Gillian Armstrong,
Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.